NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn has reiterated his “never say never” stance on the possibility of bringing former captain Joss Labadie back into the fold.

Labadie, 28, is getting closer to returning to full fitness after an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in Exiles training earlier this year.

The midfielder has been a free agent since his County contract expired on June 30, though he did spend time at the club over the summer to work on his rehabilitation.

Labadie, who originally joined County on a two-year deal in June 2016 after leaving Dagenham & Redbridge, shone for Flynn’s men last season as the side pushed for promotion.

He caught the eye of a wider audience as County nearly pulled off a huge shock in the FA Cup against Spurs before eventually being beaten in a replay at Wembley.

There were rumours of him attracting the interest of clubs higher up the Football League ladder, but the injury to his knee put paid to any hopes he might have had of making the step up.

At County’s weekly press conference yesterday, Flynn was asked about Labadie’s situation and whether there was a chance of a reunion between the two parties.

He said: “Like I said at the time (when Labadie chose not sign a new County deal), I never say never.

“He’s somebody I’ve got a lot of time for and I think he’d be a boost for the club, but we’ll have to wait and see. If we got into a bidding war with anyone, with any player, not just Joss Labadie, we’d lose.

“It’s just down to the player then if they want to come here or want to go somewhere else for a bit extra, or sometimes a lot extra.

“When it’s a lot extra you can’t really blame them.

“It’s a short career, they’ve got their families to think of, but if it’s only £100 or £200 a week involved then hopefully we tend to come out on top.”

He added: “If it happened it’s not something that’s going to happen soon.

“He’s focusing on getting fit and we talk as friends more because I have a lot of time for him.”