FORMER Newport County AFC midfielder Josh Sheehan has been offered a new contract by Bolton Wanderers after their play-off anguish.

The Wales international featured in both legs of the Whites’ League One play-off semi-final defeat to Barnsley.

The 28-year-old played 34 times for Bolton in 2022/23 - and started in the EFL Trophy final win against Plymouth - after his first season in Lancashire was ended early by ruptured knee ligaments.

Sheehan earned a move to the Wanderers in 2021 after a superb season pulling the strings from deep in midfield.

His performances in the Exiles’ push for promotion earned a pair of Wales caps against the USA and Mexico.

South Wales Argus: Josh Sheehan after Newport County's loss to Morecambe at WembleyJosh Sheehan after Newport County's loss to Morecambe at Wembley

Sheehan's final County appearance came at Wembley in the controversial play-off final defeat to Morecambe in extra time.

The Swansea City academy graduate has been offered a fresh deal by Bolton and is considering his options.

Joss Labadie, one of Sheehan’s former midfield partners at Rodney Parade, is on the lookout for a new club after being released by Walsall.

The former Exiles skipper made his return in the League Two run-in after almost a year out because of ruptured knee ligaments.

The Saddlers, who sacked Michael Flynn at the end of last season, have also released former County loan forwards Conor Wilkinson and Timmy Abraham.

The Exiles have offered seven influential players – captain Mickey Demetriou, Nick Townsend, Priestley Farquharson, James Clarke, Cameron Norman, Aaron Lewis and Scot Bennett – new terms to mull over for next season.

The same happened last year with Courtney Baker-Richardson turning them down at the end of May in favour of a move to Crewe while Dom Telford rejected terms in mid-June.

The golden boot winner eventually signed a long-term deal with big-spending Crawley, who narrowly avoided League Two relegation after a chaotic campaign.