NEWPORT County AFC transfer target Miles Welch-Hayes has opted to join League Two rivals Colchester United instead of the Exiles, while Joe Ledley has been linked with a move to Australia.

Flynn is on the hunt for a free agent right-back with Ashley Baker and Dan Leadbitter both likely to be out for the remainder of the season.

And he was close to agreeing a deal with Welch-Hayes, who terminated his contract at crisis club Macclesfield Town last month.

But the 23-year-old has instead signed for Colchester until the end of the 2021-2022 season, subject to approval from all the relevant bodies.

“I had a few options, but this is the best one for me, I’m very happy to be here,” he told the club website.

“Colchester United are a very good team. A lot of teams fear playing against Colchester. It’s a big club, and hopefully I am able to help them push on.”

South Wales Argus:

Meanwhile Ledley, who continues to train with the Exiles, has been linked with a move Down Under this week.

The 33-year-old Wales international could link up with technical director Kenny Miller and manager Carl Robinson at Newcastle Jets, according to reports.

Flynn still retains an interest in signing Ledley, but a right-back and a back-up goalkeeper are now his priorities.

Tom King is currently the only fit senior keeper in the first-team squad following Nick Townsend’s season-ending calf injury.

“The rules are that if you’ve got one fit goalkeeper in the club, you can’t sign anyone on an emergency loan,” explained Flynn.

“So, unless there’s a free agent out there, we can’t sign anybody.

“I was close to getting one in but he’d signed non-contract terms with a non-league team so that ruled him out because it’s all about the registration.

“We had the same last season [when Townsend also missed the end of the season].

“If Tom goes down then we can bring somebody in [on an emergency loan].

“But unless somebody (a free agent) pops up from nowhere, we’re going to have to [continue with just one keeper].”

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