GOLDEN boot winner Dom Telford and strike partner Courtney Baker-Richardson have until the start of next week to accept contract offers from Newport County AFC.
The duo were left off the Exiles’ leavers list when it was published on May 11 after being given deals to mull over at the end of the season.
The pair are considering their options after helping each other have strong seasons up top for County.
After breaking his duck in the EFL Trophy, Telford scored 25 goals in League Two to be the division’s top scorer and the 25-year-old striker profited from the hard graft of Baker-Richardson.
The 26-year-old made 32 appearances, scored eight goals and not only led the line but grafted hard in defence.
“They were given 30 days to accept their offer or decline it,” confirmed Exiles boss James Rowberry.
That being said, the deadline for the current contract offer passing wouldn’t necessarily lead to County shutting the door on the influential duo.
Telford enjoyed a record-breaking campaign to be named in the League Two team of the year and be shortlisted for the player of the year.
The striker headed to Newport in January 2021 from Plymouth after previously playing for Bury, Bristol Rovers and Blackpool.
He headed into 2021/22 with 26 goals in his professional career and, after being told he could leave last summer, he doubled that tally.
Baker-Richardson also had his strongest season as a full-time player after signing last summer following an injury-hit spell at Barrow.
His tally of 26 starts in amber is higher than the combined total from Barnet, Barrow, Accrington and Swansea.
The physical forward was snapped up by the Swans after catching the eye in non-league following his release from Coventry City’s academy in 2014.
If Telford and Baker-Richardson don’t re-sign then Rowberry faces an almost complete overhaul of his frontline after the summer departures of Alex Fisher and loanees Rob Street and Timmy Abraham.
Abraham, who made just 17 appearances and scored in the Carabao Cup and twice in the EFL Trophy, went back to Fulham but has been released by the Championship champions.
County have signed Will Evans from Bala in the Cymru Premier but will need established options up front.
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