Newport County boss Michael Flynn ponders return for Sam Foley

Foley, who left County for Yeovil Town back in 2012, is a free agent after being released by League Two rivals Northampton Town in May.

The 32-year-old midfielder, who played 40 games for the Cobblers last season, has been training with former club Port Vale over the summer in an attempt to keep himself fit.

He’s also been linked with moves to League Two Stevenage, and League One clubs Burton Albion and Lincoln City and is believed to have been offered a deal by Hereford in the Conference North, but a return to County would be his preferred option.

Foley, who hit 17 goals as Dean Holdsworth’s men surged to the Conference South title almost a decade ago, played 63 minutes as a trialist in the Exiles’ 8-1 pre-season victory at Weston-super-Mare on Monday night.

Fans of a certain vintage are excited by his potential return, but Flynn will not let that influence his decision.

“It was the first day Sam’s been with us and I’m sure I’ll speak to him tomorrow,” said the Exiles boss after the game.

“I’m sure he’ll be a little bit stiff, but I’ll speak to him and we’ll go from there.

“I think he did well in the first half. He tired a bit in the second half, but that’s to be expected because he hasn’t really had a proper pre-season.

“I won’t be signing him because the fans like him,” he added. “That doesn’t concern me.

"I’ll be signing him if he’s good enough and I think he can add value to our squad and our team.

“If the fans like him that’s all well and good but I’m not signing people on a popularity contest.

“There’s no room for sentiment when you’ve got a tight budget.

“I’ll have to have a look at it. I’m talking to a few others as well so we’ll have a look at what suits our squad and our team best and make a decision from there.”

Flynn revealed last week that he’s looking to add four more players to his squad before the big kick-off at home to Mansfield Town on August 3.

The manager is ideally looking for two midfielders and two strikers and is focusing on loans and free agents. He’s set to look at more trialists in a behind-closed-doors game on Wednesday afternoon and in the friendly against Chelsea under-23s at Spytty Park on Wednesday evening (kick-off 7pm).

“We won’t be paying any money for anybody [now],” confirmed Flynn.

“I need to get the numbers up, but I’m not just going to sign people for the sake of it. They need to be able to break into the first team and take their chance when given it.

“I’m not just bringing somebody in for an extra number so we’ll be patient and hopefully the right ones come up.”

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