JOE Ledley knows it’s a long shot to add to his 77 Wales caps but Newport County AFC midfielder has no intention of retiring from the international stage.

The 34-year-old will spend the next two weeks grafting on the training park with his new Exiles teammates but he won’t be working alongside goalkeeper Tom King and Josh Sheehan.

The pair have headed off for national duty with Wales having World Cup qualifiers against Belgium and the Czech Republic either side of a friendly against Mexico.

Ledley made his international debut against Poland in 2007 and won the last of his caps against Mexico three years ago.

Robert Page is blessed with younger midfield options but the veteran will be there if needed, with the intention of showing he has the legs for it in promotion-chasing County’s League Two run-in.

South Wales Argus:

“I'm not retired from Wales, it's a bit early for that,” said Ledley, who made his Exiles debut off the bench as a makeshift centre-back in the loss to Leyton Orient. “I need to play a few games but if they need me then I am here.

“I loved playing for my country, it was the greatest honour ever. We will see what happens and they are doing amazingly at the moment.

“The boys who have come in, especially the younger ones, have moulded into that squad because there was big pressure on them to qualify for the Euros.

“Hopefully I get the opportunity to put the Wales top on again but if not then I am delighted with what I have done for my nation.”

Ledley has dropped down to the fourth tier but Sheehan’s debut cap against the USA last November and King’s call-ups show that Ryan Giggs, part-owner at Salford City in League Two, and caretaker boss Page, who managed Port Vale and Northampton in the lower leagues, are watching.

South Wales Argus:

“It's great to see Kingy and Josh get the call-up playing at Newport,” said Ledley. “It doesn't matter where you are playing at the moment, if you are good enough then the manager will pick you.

“We will see what happens but I just want to be out there getting as many games as I can under my belt.”

But Ledley is a realist and knows that a repeat of Euro 2016 is unlikely for this summer’s delayed tournament.

“It's going to be a very difficult ask to be pushing on the door but I'm not ruling anything out,” said the former Cardiff, Celtic, Crystal Palace and Derby midfielder.

“I am sure they have their selection already made in their heads and I have left it a little bit late, but you never know in football.”

Ledley also hopes his presence can help playmaker Sheehan rediscover his best form to be a contender for summer selection.

“Josh has been a great player and I admired him when I first came here and saw him in training,” said the left-footer, who was with County last year before signing for Newcastle Jets in Australia.

“It was great to see him get his first Wales cap because he is a fantastic player, so hopefully whoever plays in midfield with him can help him out.”