Newport County

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David Hughes is mulling over changes to his Newport County side in their bid to cause a Carabao Cup upset against Millwall.

The Exiles welcome the Lions to Rodney Parade on Tuesday (19:30 BST) after beating Barnet on penalties in the preliminary round.

Newport extended their unbeaten start to life under Hughes on Saturday when beating Crawley 2-1 thanks to goals by Kai Whitmore and Liam Shephard in Sussex.

The County manager has used 14 starters in four fixtures so far and, with a league trip to Grimsby Town to come on Saturday, will consider tinkering with his line-up.

"We've discussed that we will need everybody," said Hughes, who is yet to field Anthony Glennon and Bobby Kamwa - both regulars last season - in an XI this term.

"Some of the guys have not started but over the coming period everybody will be massively valuable.

"The group needs to keep themselves level and focused, then when the opportunity is there they need to grasp it."

Millwall got their Championship campaign off to a winning start with an impressive 2-1 win at Norwich over the weekend.

Newport have enjoyed lucrative FA Cup runs in recent seasons while in the Carabao Cup they have claimed the scalps of Charlton, Luton, Portsmouth, Ipswich, Swansea and Watford.

"We know the value of the cups, they are significant and there is a rich history here with runs," said Hughes.

"We'd love to replicate that but what we have to do is ensure we monitor the players off the back of the weekend performance to see who is fresh and who is ready to play again.

"We need to give a good account of ourselves and we know that we are the underdogs. The league is the most important thing, let's not forget that, but a cup game is a nice break."

Image source, BBC Sport

Newport County are unbeaten after their opening two league games - and preparing to face Championship side Millwall in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

So far, so encouraging for a side written off by many pundits and bookmakers before the season began.

After warming up for the league with a penalty shoot-out win over Barnet in the preliminary round of the cup, County opened their League Two campaign with a solid 1-1 draw against highly-fancied Notts County.

The Exiles followed that up by claiming their first league win under new boss Dave Hughes, goals from Kai Whitmore and debutant Liam Shephard giving them a 2-1 victory at relegated Crawley Town.

New Zealand goalkeeper Nik Tzanev - one of a host of new players signed by Newport in the summer - also caught the eye at Broadfield Stadium with some impressive saves, while Lee Jenkins' long throw-ins look like they will be an asset.

Early days, yes, but four points from the first six on offer should provide fans with encouragement that County will make significant progress on last season's disappointing 22nd-place finish.

Hughes is also hoping to make more additions to his squad before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

So how do you feel after the opening two games? Do County look stronger than last year? Are there areas of the pitch you are still worried about? Let us know your views by clicking here.

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Liam Shephard says he is "buzzing" to have returned "home" after scoring on his second debut for Newport County.

The defender - who made 52 appearances for the Exiles during the 2020-21 season - signed a one-year deal with the Exiles last week following his release from Salford City.

He was immediately thrust into the limelight on Saturday, starting and scoring as David Hughes' side maintained their unbeaten start to the 2025-26 campaign with a 2-1 win at Crawley Town.

"I'm buzzing. We've been speaking pretty much through all of the off-season. It was frustrating at times but we finally got the deal done," he told BBC Sport Wales of his return to the club.

"It makes sense to come home after four years. I'm just happy.

"I feel like when I was here last time, it was such a good group and I didn't really want to leave but there were other circumstances.

"People can say what they want to say but they don't know the real reasons to it - that's between me and the people in charge at the time.

"I'm just happy to be back and hopefully we can try and do something similar to that this season or maybe next season - let's see."

The victory over Crawley means Newport have collected four of the six points on offer in League Two so far - while they also progressed into the first round of the Carabao Cup having beaten Barnet on penalties in the preliminary round.

Having finished 22nd under Nelson Jardim last term, Hughes is eyeing significant progress this season.

And Shephard - who was part of the Newport side that reached the fourth tier's play-off final at Wembley just four years ago - says the club can aim high once the new-look squad has had sufficient time to gel.

"Anything can happen in League Two. Morecambe for example, when we played them, no one expected them to be at the top for so long," added Shephard.

"The boys have only been together for four or five weeks. The more games they play together the more understanding you get and I think you saw a lot of good patterns of play today.

"Building those relationships can hopefully lead to good things.

"The boys need to be willing to improve in every game and every training session and if that's the mindset we have, we could go wherever we want to go."

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In amongst the joy of securing his first League Two win as Newport County boss, David Hughes was particularly pleased with the contribution of Kai Whitmore.

The attacking midfielder opened the scoring in Saturday's 2-1 win at Crawley Town, rounding the opposition goalkeeper after being played through by Matt Smith.

"Great run, great pass. Kai's got that, he's got bundles of energy to get beyond the backline," Hughes enthused.

"It was a really good, calm, composed finish so really pleased for him, and we've worked a lot on midfield players breaking beyond the frontline."

The Exiles doubled their lead when Lee Jenkins' long throw-in allowed Liam Shephard to score from close range.

"Then Jenks has got that long throw... it just causes a little bit of disruption in the backline and we were able to capitalise," Hughes added. "So really pleased."

Newport are back in action on Tuesday night when they host Championship side Millwall in the first round of the Carabao Cup (19:30 BST).

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Newport County manager David Hughes has hailed the impact of versatile Cameron Evans in a new midfield role.

The 24-year-old joined the Exiles in July 2024 after leaving National League South Taunton Town and had a promising first campaign in League Two.

Evans, who was on the books of Swansea City as a youngster, made 35 appearances when slotting in on the right, left and middle of defence.

However, Newport have opted to use his combative attributes in midfield at the start of this season with a pair of lively appearances off the bench.

Evans is poised to feature again when the Exiles travel to Crawley Town this afternoon in League Two (15:00 BST).

"He was excellent when he came on at Barnet and affected the game, similarly against Notts County when he had a huge impact," said Hughes.

"We have a squad and everyone will have a part to play over the next nine or 10 months.

"We've been really pleased with Cameron, he's versatile, adaptable and has an incredible personality."

Newport have Joe Thomas, loanee Habeeb Ogunneye and experienced new signing Liam Shephard as options down the right, while Tom Davies and Anthony Glennon are battling on the left.

Evans is a more defensively minded midfield option to go along with Wales international Matt Smith, Cameron Antwi, Kai Whitmore and Swansea loanee Ben Lloyd.

Evans has also been the central defensive cover on the bench in the first two fixtures while Ciaran Brennan and Jaden Warner are on the comeback trail from injury.

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Liam Shephard is in contention to start his second Newport County spell at Crawley Town in League Two.

The Exiles signed the 30-year-old - who is primarily a right-back but can also play in a central trio and midfield - this week after he was released by Salford City at the end of last season.

Shephard stayed fit on a PFA training camp for unattached players and is an option for manager David Hughes in Sussex on Saturday (15:00 BST), provided that international clearance comes through in time.

"He has looked sharp and we were really pleased with how he presented and reported on his first day," said Hughes.

"He has looked really fit and sharp after four weeks with the PFA, which speaks volumes about the work they are doing to support players out of contract. He comes to us in good health, good fitness and available."

Shephard was a key figure in Newport's promotion challenge in 2020-21 and started in the play-off final defeat to Morecambe at Wembley.

He is reunited with coach Wayne Hatswell and will provide an option down the right along with Joe Thomas and Manchester United loanee Habeeb Ogunneye.

Cameron Evans, who played at right-back, left-back and centre-back last season, has been used as a combative midfielder in the early stages of the campaign.

"Liam brings experience, outstanding quality and technical ability. He is still only 30 so there is still a good amount of football in front of him," said Hughes.

"He adds significantly to the squad so we are really pleased to add him to what we already have.

"Anybody who has worked with Liam speaks volumes about his personality, professionalism and character, Wayne being one of those.

"We have been really pleased with the manner that the players have applied themselves since pre-season and he adds to that."

The Exiles have some minor niggles but are hoping that the squad that drew 1-1 with Notts County in their League Two opener will be available for Crawley.

Defender Ciaran Brennan (shoulder) and winger Michael Spellman (groin) are close to returns.

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Ben Lloyd has been challenged to be Newport County's star man after joining on loan from Swansea City.

The 20-year-old midfielder will spend the season with the Exiles and has already made two starts.

Lloyd has made just a pair of brief appearances off the bench for Championship side Swansea, but he will now try to follow in the footsteps of Ollie Cooper and Brandon Cooper by heading east to impress in Newport with the League Two side.

"He can learn a lot," said Swansea head coach Alan Sheehan. "He's got to go there with the mentality of being the best player.

"Yes, he is from a Championship club but he's got to go down there and be the best player, on and off the pitch.

"He's got to be a role model, be a good example, show the work ethic and the grit to be a professional footballer and prove himself at that level.

"After that you move onto the next level and that's the goal for a lot of young players here."

Meanwhile, Newport midfielder Riley Lonergan has joined Cardiff Met on loan.

The teenager, who signed a first professional contract in the summer, will get a taste of senior men's football in the Cymru Premier until 12 January.

Lonergan is yet to make his Newport first-team debut after being an unused substitute in the League Two game at Fleetwood Town in the penultimate game of last season.

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Newport County new boy Lee Jenkins has impressed with his old school love of defending, says his boss David Hughes.

The centre-back made the move to Rodney Parade from Haverfordwest in the summer and has slotted straight into the starting XI.

Jenkins caught the eye on the right of a trio with captain James Clarke and Matt Baker against Barnet in the Carabao Cup and Notts County in League Two.

The 23-year-old Wales C international made a double century of Cymru Premier appearances for Aberystwyth and Haverfordwest to earn his chance in the EFL.

"You don't play that many games at his age without having something about you," said Hughes who took charge of County in May.

"Before we talk about his ability, he's a really solid, reliable, professional who enjoys and relishes defending – at times that can be a dying art but not with 'Jenks'.

"He's been embraced by the squad and the players have seen his qualities. He has been a joy to work with.

"We hope that we can continue to add and develop Lee. He has lots of experience and we look forward to seeing him flourish and develop in the next stage of his career."

Jenkins has grasped his chance in the absence of the injured Ciaran Brennan and Jaden Warner, who are expected to return in the coming weeks.

Newport travel to Crawley Town on Saturday (15:00 BST) after starting the Hughes era with a win on penalties at Barnet and then a 1-1 draw with Notts County.

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Newport County are "working on" bringing further players into the club says manager David Hughes.

The Exiles drew 1-1 with Notts County in their opening game of the League Two season at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

Hughes has already signed goalkeepers Nik Tzanev and Jordan Wright, centre-back Lee Jenkins, Wales midfielder Matt Smith and striker Ged Garner – who scored against Notts.

Manchester United defender Habeeb Ogunneye and Cardiff City striker Michael Reindorf have joined on loan.

"It's not easy. There's a number of factors, obviously a number of clubs who will be looking at individuals as well," Hughes said.

"So we are looking to add some further numbers and not just numbers, but they've got to be quality.

"The conversations we've had with the chairman have always been positive."

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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.

Image source, BBC Sport

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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.