MIDFIELDER Scot Bennett has welcomed the prospect of Wales international Joe Ledley joining Newport County AFC.

Manager Michael Flynn admitted last week that he’s keen to sign Ledley, who was spotted watching County beat Scunthorpe United at Rodney Parade 10 days ago.

The Euro 2016 star has been a free agent since leaving Championship club Derby County in January and he’s been training with former club Cardiff City for the past few weeks.

But the Bluebirds are not interested in re-signing the 32-year-old and Flynn hopes he can persuade him to drop down to League Two.

“I speak to Joe quite regularly,” said the Exiles boss on Friday. “Is there an opportunity there? I don’t know. I’ll know more next week.

“I’ll speak to Joe and if there is anything [in the pipeline] he’ll come in and train first.

“Can we get him? I’m not quite sure. Is it close? No. Have I spoken to him? Yes. That’s all there is to say at this stage.”

South Wales Argus:

Bennett may be one of the players whose starting spot would be under threat if Ledley did move to Rodney Parade but he says the potential deal would be positive for everyone at the club.

“Anyone with that sort of experience and knowhow and skill on the ball is only going to benefit us as a squad,” said Bennett, who has played in central defence and central midfield so far this season.

“It’ll lift and raise our game in training and the standards that he will set will only lift us again.

“It’s something that can only be a positive, if he does come in.

“If he does, it’s a positive and a bonus. But if not, we’ll carry on like we have been doing and hopefully pick up more points.”

Bennett believes Ledley would have a similar impact as former Swansea City striker Wilfried Bony, who has been training with the squad for the past few months.

“Wilf never takes his foot off the gas, he’s the first to offer advice to the younger lads,” said Bennett.

“And not only the strikers, he’ll offer advice to anyone. He was giving me advice on my quad injury earlier in the season, so it’s a positive and it will benefit us.”

South Wales Argus:

Flynn’s men could do with a boost after Saturday’s dismal defeat at Colchester United but they remain three points behind leaders Crewe Alexandra after 15 games.

“If you offered that at the start of the season, we would have taken it,” Bennett said as he looked ahead to next Saturday’s home clash with Salford City.

“But I think we’ve got to build on that now, keep pushing forward and picking up points because we want to be at the right end of the table at the end of the season.

“We’ve got a good record at home and we want to keep that going and get the three points.

“We need to bounce back, we normally do and we’ll work hard and go again Saturday.”

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