Under way at Newport's first home game of the season.

Under way at St James' Park.

Daniel Cheng: Odegaard can't save us all on his own but I'm hoping he can supply Aubameyang with some chances tonight to score. And why is Taveres playing RB?

Michael Pearlman
BBC Sport Wales at Rodney Parade

You may wonder why Newport fans are acting like this is their first home game of the season.

It's because it is their first home game of the season.

The Exiles, who share their ground with two rugby teams, needed their pitch re-laid and it was not ready for the League Two kick-off.

County have been on the road since the season started, with this their first home game with a full compliment of fans since March 2020.

It's going to be a red hot atmosphere.

Not sure about that one, March. If Martin Dubravka is back in October, then surely Newcastle don't want to wait another two or three months before he can play?

March Richards: Steve Bruce hammering on about naming 4 goalkeepers. It's simple - Drop the one who's out the longest. Even if it's Dubravka, make him work hard for the months up until you can register players again in January. Breed competition.

West Brom have won three Championship games in a row after drawing their opener - scoring 11 goals in their four games.

Valerien Ismael, who replaced Sam Allardyce following their relegation, said: “The Carabao Cup competition has given us a big game against Arsenal in our first match in it.

“It will give us the possibility to give some minutes to the guys who haven’t featured much in the league so far this season, and also to see some of our younger players in the senior side for a competitive game.

“It’s a great chance to show what they can do against a really big club and against one of the top teams in Europe.”

Five debuts today for the Baggies.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his squad are "together" and just need "confidence" after their worst ever start to a league season.

They have lost 2-0 to Brentford and Chelsea in their opening two games.

"Obviously they are hurt," Arteta said when asked about his players.

"The feeling is tough at the moment, they need some help as well with players coming back, and keep them together, because the spirit there is good.

"They don't need motivating. Honestly, they are really together, one thing they don't need is motivating.

"That is really clear, they are really trying what they can do. Give them confidence - that is what they need."

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Pearlman
BBC Sport Wales at Rodney Parade

Once upon a time in a different lifetime I covered Newport County for a newspaper and dreamed, year-on-year, of a cup run to write about.

It simply never happened, as over a decade of disappointments became the norm.

That was then.

Newport these days seem to play Premier League sides nearly as often as Manchester United do.

We've had Pep, Poch, Pulis and Potter all pitting their wits against Newport at Rodney Parade and tonight it is Ralph Hasenhuttl's turn.

There are over 6,000 fans inside Rodney Parade and the atmosphere is building nicely.

No Newport fan is taking tonight for granted. A video is currently playing remembering those Exiles fans lost in the past 18 months and nothing provides greater perspective.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is excited by the prospect of having Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette back.

Both players have had Covid this season. Aubameyang starts and Lacazette is on the bench.

"That's really good news because we really need them," he said.

"They are both so important to us as they are able to put that ball in the net. We need them firing, we need them at their best and the team has to help them to deliver that.

"I think we sometimes get really carried away because of the youth, the quality and the talent and the potential that we have through the squad.

"But the ones that are going to determine our success and who have to lead our success are the senior players."

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl expects "a tough game" tonight.

"When you go there you need to be really lively and be organised," he said. "It's definitely not a Sunday afternoon walk. You have to go for everything if you want to take something there."

He added the Saints have a bigger squad this season which should help them on nights like tonight.

"This season we have a little bit more alternatives on the bench, not only academy players but the side is bigger," he said.

"There will definitely be a lot of rotation and we will give players a chance who haven't played. They really need to play."

Tonight will be Newport's first big crowd since March 2020.

All their games this season have been away from home while Rodney Parade has been redeveloped and a new pitch laid.

"We had fans against Forest Green [900 for the play-off semi-final last season] but it wasn't many and it was really strange,” said assistant boss Wayne Hatswell.

"It was 7 March 2020 that we last had fans against Morecambe and there weren't over 5,000 for that game.

“With it being the first game back, it's one that we are looking forward to. I am really excited to hear that noise behind us again, we've not heard that for a while."

Newport County will be without their manager Michael Flynn tonight as he has tested positive for Covid-19.

He missed Saturday's game with Tranmere and will also miss this weekend's match with Salford.

Newport assistant Wayne Hatswell is in temporary charge.

Southampton will become the ninth club currently playing in the Premier League to visit Newport since 2018.

The Welsh side have beaten Leeds, Leicester and Watford in recent years and taken others to penalties.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche says the "simple reality" is "the main priority is the league".

"It [the Carabao Cup] is certainly not the first priority, because that's the Premier League, above all else," he said.

"That being said, you want to field a team that you believe can win. We've always had respect for cup competitions.

"It's just a simple fact for us - Premier League football for Burnley Football Club, for the town, for the area, it's a great thing. So I've just got to be realistic about it."

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle are one of five teams yet to pick up a point after two Premier League games - along with Burnley.

Despite the winless start, Bruce does not expect to make any permanent signings before the end of the transfer window - although a loan deal is a possibility.

"There is still a little bit of work to do but it has been difficult for all the clubs all summer," Bruce said. "I have never known it so quiet and difficult for a lot of clubs with finances."

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle had little choice other than to play Freddie Woodman in goal today.

The third-choice keeper has played both Premier League games this season.

Martin Dubravka recently had foot surgery - and an infected wound - and is likely to be out for another eight weeks, with no time limit on his return.

Karl Darlow has Covid-19.

Boss Steve Bruce says he might have to register four goalkeepers in their Premier League squad which is "unheard of".

The draw for the third round of the Carabao Cup takes place tonight after all three games are finished.

We'll bring you that in this live text later on.

James: Strong line up tonight from Southampton, nice to see that we are taking the cups a bit more seriously this year.

Tate!: Need Odegaard to perform from the get go tonight if he is to be a regular starter.