Newport County

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Newport County boss David Hughes insists he does not feel nervous ahead of his League Two managerial debut on Saturday.

The Exiles host Notts County at Rodney Parade in their opening league game of the campaign – having won their first competitive game in midweek, and EFL Cup win at Barnet on penalties.

Hughes succeeded Nelson Jardim as County manager in May, leaving his role as a youth coach at Manchester United having previously been head of academy at Cardiff City.

The 47-year-old also worked in youth coaching at Southampton and Watford as well as with Wales' age-grade teams, including assistant manager of the Under-21s.

After briefly managing Barry Town in the Welsh Premier when his playing career came to a premature end due to injury, Hughes returns to managing in senior football.

"I feel really relaxed about it," Hughes told BBC Sport Wales.

"When you work with the players and you try and prepare them the best way you possibly can and see how receptive they've been it becomes relaxing on the touchline.

"The preparation is done, you're trying to help and support them throughout the game with little bits of information.

"So the players should be excited for the first game of the season. You work for six weeks for that first game.

"Let's hope the place is bouncing, really good atmosphere and we make it really difficult and hostile for Notts County."

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Striker Courtney Baker-Richardson is fit for Newport County's League Two opener against Notts County after being forced off with illness in midweek.

The 29-year-old was substituted early in the second half of the Exiles' Carabao Cup preliminary round success at Barnet but has been cleared for Saturday's Rodney Parade clash with the Magpies (15.00 BST).

"He was unwell at half-time and it's credit to him that he wanted to stay on and see if he could play through it," said manager David Hughes, whose side won 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at The Hive.

"He was just unwell within one or two minutes of the second half and didn't feel he could carry on, so we just need to make sure we can keep everybody fit. He will be available for tomorrow."

Wales midfielder Matt Smith was taken off at the break in Barnet as a precaution after suffering a niggle in pre-season that limited his minutes in preparation.

He will be available against Notts County along with fellow midfielder Kai Whitmore, who was suspended on Tuesday after a red card against Tranmere in the final game of last season.

Ciaran Brennan had summer shoulder surgery and is approaching a return while defender Jaden Warner and winger Michael Spellman are also expected back in the coming weeks after niggles.

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A fresh face in charge, plenty of new players and a full pre-season done and dusted...now Newport County are just days away from their first League Two game under new boss Dave Hughes.

Technically, the season starts on Tuesday, 29 July with an EFL Cup preliminary round tie against Barnet.

But it is the league campaign that County fans will be primarily focused on as Newport look to improve on last year's disappointing 22nd-placed finish, the Exiles winning just one of their last 10 games and Nelson Jardim leaving as head coach.

Former Manchester United youth coach Hughes has since taken over, and he starts at home to one of last year's play-off semi finalists, Notts County, on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Newport have been busy in the transfer market, with goalkeepers Nik Tzanev and Jordan Wright, centre-back Lee Jenkins, Wales midfielder Matt Smith and striker Ged Garner all signing for the Exiles.

Manchester United defender Habeeb Ogunneye, Swansea City midfielder Ben Lloyd and Cardiff City striker Michael Reindorf have also joined on loan.

And Hughes may not stop there, telling supporters at a fans' forum last week that he would like to make more signings before the season starts.

Traditionally, fans have had pre-season opportunities to cast their eyes over new recruits - and assess how young players are shaping up - but there have been no friendlies at Rodney Parade for them to attend this summer.

With all this in mind, then, what are your hopes for the season ahead? What would you accept from Hughes and his new-look squad? Let us know your views by clicking here.

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Newport County manager David Hughes has told supporters he is still looking to make signings ahead of the new season.

Goalkeepers Nik Tzanev and Jordan Wright, centre-back Lee Jenkins, Wales midfielder Matt Smith and striker Ged Garner have all signed for the Exiles, while Manchester United defender Habeeb Ogunneye and Cardiff City striker Michael Reindorf have joined on loan.

But Hughes told supporters at a fans' forum this week: "We are looking for one or two to come in and support [the squad], but they have to be right.

"It's not a numbers game, we need guys who are going to come in and add something that we haven't got already.

"We've tried to be logical in our approach through the summer and that's the right thing to do. We are looking but they have to add to what we have already got in the squad."

The Exiles get their campaign under way at Barnet in the preliminary round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday before kicking off their league campaign against Notts County on Saturday, 2 August.

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Newport County are close to a deal to use University of South Wales Sports Park as their permanent training base.

The League Two side have prepared for the start of the season at the facility in Treforest under new manager David Hughes.

The Exiles are close to finalising an agreement to stay there throughout the campaign after previously being based at Newport Stadium, their former home before a move to Rodney Parade in 2012.

Owner Huw Jenkins made improving training facilities a top priority after his takeover in January 2024.

"In the next two weeks we are going to finalise a rental agreement with USW," said the chairman at a Newport County Supporters' Trust event.

"We are 80-90% done but need to just get back in and meet finalise things for ourselves and the academy to be there."

USW Sports Park has been one of the venues used by County in past seasons when poor weather forced them into late training changes.

Newport start their season on Tuesday when they travel to face Barnet in the preliminary round of the Carabao Cup, before a League Two opener against Notts County at Rodney Parade on Saturday, 2 August.

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Newport County suffered defeat in their final pre-season friendly as Elijah Morrison struck a late winner for Bristol City in a game played behind closed doors at the Championship club's training ground.

A strong Robins line-up were frustrated by Newport until Morrison tapped home in the 89th minute.

Newport boss Dave Hughes made a string of substitutions - with one change enforced when Keenan Patten picked up an injury - as preparations continue for the return of competitive football.

The Exiles are in EFL Cup preliminary round action at Barnet on Tuesday, 29 July before the new League Two campaign starts when Notts County visit Rodney Parade on 2 August.

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Newport County suffered their first defeat of pre-season as they went down 3-1 at Torquay United.

The National League side stormed into a 3-0 half-time lead thanks to goals from Dylan Morgan, Jordan Dyer and Louis Dennis.

Bobby Kamwa, one of four Newport substitutes at the break, headed home late on for the Exiles as he met Lee Jenkins' cross.

Newport continue their preparations for the new League Two season with a behind-closed-doors game at Bristol City on Tuesday.

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Former Newport County striker Kyle Hudlin is to try his luck in Vietnamese football following his Huddersfield Town exit.

Hudlin scored six goals in 30 Newport appearances – 16 of which were league starts – during a loan spell at Rodney Parade last season.

But after being released by parent club the Terriers this summer, the 6ft 9in frontman has signed for Nam Dinh, the current Vietnamese champions.

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Newport County have appointed former defender and ex-club captain Mark O'Brien as club ambassador.

The 32-year-old's role will see him working in the community, supporting matchday hosting duties at Rodney Parade and assisting the club's commercial department.

O'Brien made more than 120 appearances for the Exiles and in 2017 his late winner against Notts County saw Newport pull off an astonishing League Two relegation escape on the final day of the season.

He was forced to retire at the age of 27 in 2020 because of heart issues that required surgery and subsequently became the club's player liaison officer.

"This club means everything to me,'' said the Irishman, who has also worked as a Radio Wales summariser since he retired from playing.

"The club and the community stuck by me when I had my heart problem and this is my opportunity to give something back for that support.

"I'm really looking forward to developing the new role, my new life and new career.

"I've been helping the club on the field, and training ground, for nearly 10 years. Now I want to make a difference off the field as well."

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Moses Alexander-Walker netted a late winner as Newport County edged past Weston-super-Mare 1-0 to continue their promising pre-season campaign.

The 17-year-old academy product struck two minutes from time at the Optima Stadium, ensuring Dave Hughes' side maintained their unbeaten run in pre-season.

In a tightly contested encounter, chances were at a premium for both sides and the match looked destined to finish goalless until Michael Reindorf produced a moment of quality to unlock the Seagulls' defence.

Reindorf threaded a well-weighted pass through to Alexander-Walker, who kept his composure to fire home from a tight angle.

Newport manager Hughes handed a place on the bench to new loan signing Habeeb Ogunneye, who joined the Exiles from Manchester United earlier this week.

The Exiles continued their preparations ahead of the new League Two campaign with their fourth pre-season friendly under Hughes, who will be pleased by the resilience shown by his youthful squad.