MIDFIELDER Scot Bennett insists the Newport County players will not let speculation surrounding the future of manager Michael Flynn affect their performances on the pitch.

Rumours of Flynn becoming the next Lincoln City manager have been rife this week, although County say the League One club haven’t made an approach for the 38-year-old.

The Exiles face Northampton Town at the PTS Academy Stadium today (kick-off 3pm) with the chance of climbing to the summit of League Two if they win and Exeter City drop points.

And Bennett, on the comeback trail following a thigh problem, believes the squad won’t allow talk about Flynn’s future knock them off their stride after an unbeaten start to the campaign.

“It’s happened before, he’s been favourite for other jobs and nothing has come of it, so you’ve got to carry on doing what you do,” he said.

“I’ve been in the game long enough to know it happens, and it’s happened from managers either moving on to bigger and better things or getting the sack.

“You’ve just got to deal with it and, as players, it’s your job to go out and perform. We just get on with what we’ve got to do.

“He’s done very well since he’s come in so it’s only right that other clubs are going to be looking at him.

“If he’s here, he’s here, and if he’s not, we’ll still do the same. We all want him to stay.

“I’m not sure what’s going on or what’s happened, or if anything has even happened, but obviously he has been linked with it.

“If he’s here, he’s here, and we want him to stay, if he’s not, we’ll go out and do the same.”

He added: “The boys have been unbelievable so far, clean sheet after clean sheet, and picking up points.

“It’s what we targeted at the start of the season and, thankfully, the boys have done it.

“It’s the togetherness we’ve got. We had it last season and it got us to the play-off final, and it seems to have got stronger, so hopefully we can carry on going in the right direction.

“It hasn’t surprised me. Going away in pre-season helped us, you get to know everyone, and all the new lads have come in and settled really well.”

On a personal level, Bennett is glad to be back in the first-team frame.

He said: “I had a shoulder operation which put me a few weeks behind, and then I’ve just had a few niggles here and there.

“It has been frustrating, but I’ve had a good week’s training and I’m ready to go again.

“The lads are doing well so you’ve got to wait your time, and if they’re playing well you can’t complain. When your chance comes, you’ve got to take it.”