NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn hopes to put an end to the “conspiracy theories” surrounding Sean Rigg’s absence from the squad.

Rigg was a key member of the team last season, making 40 appearances and scoring six goals, but has been more of a peripheral figure in this campaign.

The 29-year-old has so far made just 13 starts and eight substitute appearances in 2017-2018 and has not featured since coming off the bench in the FA Cup win over Cambridge United on December 3.

There has been speculation that Rigg has been left out because he is one appearance away from triggering a new contract.

But Flynn says the player has been injured and is currently sidelined with a hip flexor problem.

The manager also explained why Rigg has fallen down the pecking order and rubbished suggestions that it’s down to a contract dispute.

“He came back, trained one day and then he got injured again,” said Flynn.

“He’s not being left out because of any contract dispute.

“He needs another seven or eight games before he hits that [extension point] so that’s got nothing to do with it.

South Wales Argus:

“At the moment, when he is fit, I don’t know what Sean Rigg I’m going to get and the quality of the squad has improved.

“Sean has got to get himself fit first of all and then he’s got to work his way back in to the team.

“That wipes away all the conspiracy theories, which I’ve been hearing and people have been asking me during games.

“He’s injured and that’s why he hasn’t been on the bench.”

Rigg did return to training before the FA Cup win over Leeds but now has another problem.

“He’s done his hip flexor,” Flynn explained. “It was his left one first of all and he came back after 10 to 14 days.

“He trained and felt the other one so I’d probably say he’ll be out for another week.”