EFL scheduling unfair - Newport boss Hughes

David Hughes' only previous senior managerial role was with Barry Town

Newport County manager David Hughes says scheduling an EFL Cup tie before the opening weekend of the league season put his players at risk of injury.

County drew 1-1 at home to Notts County in their opening game of League Two – four days after their first competitive game saw them beat Barnet on penalties in the EFL Cup preliminary round.

Hughes said that was not "particular fair" on his players especially given no games had been scheduled for the coming week.

"I'm not sure that that's the right thing from the EFL to have put that game in on a Tuesday, " Hughes said.

"First game of the season and everyone's looking forward to and then you throw that one in on the Tuesday.

"I don't think that's particularly fair for our players."

The EFL introduced a preliminary round for the first time this season to accommodate the increased number of Premier League clubs with European commitments.

Newport and Accrington Stanley - the sides that finished lowest in League Two last season who were not relegated – and promoted Barnet and Oldham Athletic were the teams involved.

"There's an understanding about when you've had a six-week block of work and you're planning for this date and you get an option to play either side of this weekend.

"Arguably you're looking and thinking, well, what's right for the players?

"Well the game on Tuesday, when you're working in six weeks, puts players at risk of injury.

"So we've ended up managing individuals in their best interest based around Tuesday and today to ensure that we keep everybody fit and available."

Despite their midweek efforts at Barnet and an hour's delay ahead of the League Two opener at Rodney Parade on Saturday because of a medical emergency, County drew 1-1 with highly fancied Notts County.

Notts dominated a first half that finished goalless, but were frustrated by Newport's dogged defending and Ged Garner gave the hosts the lead before Jodi Jones equalised from the penalty spot.

"I thought to a man everybody was outstanding," said Hughes, who was appointed Newport manager in May.

"The reception the players got at the end of the game was a telling sign of the supporters' feelings on a performance.

"I'm sure Notts County would be disappointed if they hadn't got something from the game, based around their performance.

"Equally it's a really good start, but it's only a start. Let's not get too high when we've had a good performance.

"We have to follow this up with a really good week's work and another good performance at Crawley next Saturday."