Newport to face Barnet in new preliminary EFL Cup round
- Published
Newport County will enter next season's Carabao Cup at a new preliminary round stage, with a tie against Barnet set for the week commencing 4 August.
The format of the competition has been amended by the English Football League (EFL) due to nine Premier League teams being involved in European competition.
The two promoted clubs from last season's National League - Barnet and Oldham Athletic - and the clubs who finished in 21st and 22nd place in League Two - Accrington Stanley and Newport - now have to compete in a preliminary round in order to qualify for the first round proper.
The format is designed to reduce the number of clubs in rounds one and two, in order to accommodate all Premier League clubs involved in Europe in round three.
The venue for County's tie with Barnet and who has home advantage will be determined at the same time as the draw for the first round of the Carabao Cup on 26 June.