NEWPORT County AFC playmaker Josh Sheehan says he is "buzzing" to have received a call-up to the Wales national squad ahead of the upcoming international break.

Sheehan has been called up to the national side for the first time, and joins teammate Tom King in the first instance of two County players being in the same Wales squad since 1983.

"I heard, through the gaffer around this time last week, that there was the chance of getting called up," he said.

"It was just a matter of waiting then to find out officially.

"At first, I thought there was a chance that the manager was winding me up. It’s a good joke if he’s carried that off.

"The only people I told were my parents and my partner. They wanted to tell the world, but they had to keep it quiet until it went on social media."

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Sheehan said that being called up to play for his country was "what you look forward to as a kid".

Sheehan has played every minute of every league game for County this season, with his side sitting pretty at the top of the table.

"We’re just clicking as a team," he said.

"This year, with the style of play and the movement, everyone seems to know what they’re going to do.

"It’s all come together."

Sheehan has suffered over the last few years with long-term injuries.

However, he never lost faith that he may one day pull on the shirt to represent his country.

"I’ve always believed in myself and, if you speak to anyone that’s close to me, I’ve always said that I’ve believed in my ability," he said.

"It just makes it sweeter now.

"When you leave a top club (Swansea), who were in the Premier League at the time, you think ‘maybe it’s the end’, but when you go on loan at such a young age you realise that it’s not all about your parent club.

"There is more out there than just that club."

So it has proved, as a move to Newport County AFC has seen Sheehan take up a crucial role in propelling his side to the top of League Two.

"I’ve played my best football here (at county)," he said.

"Hopefully I can repay them.

"There’s been confidence from the gaffer and all the coaching staff. It makes a big difference to any player, when you have that backing behind you.

"Once you have that confidence you play a different game.

"It’s just clicked."

Despite being one of the newbies in terms of international experience, Sheehan has said that he won't be phased by the step up.

Sheehan said that he had played with a good few of the Wales squad before – mentioning Gareth Bale and Harry Wilson among others with Premier League experience.

"I won’t be star-struck, I’m just there to do my job," he said.