Match Pack: Newport vs Saints

THE MATCH

Newport County vs Southampton
Carabao Cup
Rodney Parade
Wednesday 25th August, 7.45pm BST

THE OFFICIALS

To be confirmed.

WHICH KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?

Saints will be in their home kit for the trip to Wales, with red shorts replacing their regular black shorts.

The second round tie represents a potential banana skin for the visitors, who’ll be keen to avoid another exit at the hands of lower league opposition.

Brentford, then in the Championship, overcame Saints at the same stage last season, but Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side will go into the cup encounter off the back of Sunday’s encouraging draw with Manchester United.

Now off the mark in the Premier League, Southampton will look to emulate their Carabao Cup form from 2019/20, where they reached the last 16.

The Exiles will be in equally buoyant mood having picked up a 1-0 win at Tranmere on Saturday, with assistant manager Wayne Hatswell taking charge once again with manager Michael Flynn self-isolating.

Ralph Hasenhüttl has already confirmed that he will likely make changes after naming the same starting eleven for Saints’ opening two Premier League matches.

Stuart Armstrong missed Sunday’s return to St Mary’s due to a calf injury and is unlikely to feature, whilst Will Smallbone and Sam McQueen continue their recovery from long-term injuries.

THE MANAGERS

Wayne Hatswell (assistant manager): "The team is not decided at the moment and we will leave that until late. It's about seeing who is in the best condition to cope with dealing with three games in seven days.

"But all the players that are here, as we saw at Ipswich, are trusted. They proved that night that they are more than capable, whoever plays will be trusted in what we do and will do it to the best of their ability."

Ralph Hasenhüttl: “It’s a busy week with tough fixtures, first in the cup. We have a bigger side this season and everybody needs to get the chance to play and we will do this definitely.”

ONES TO WATCH:

Matty Dolan: Newport's captain missed their trip to Tranmere at the weekend, but will likely return to the starting line-up against Saints to give the hosts a boost.

With a good passing range and an eye for goal from long range and set-pieces, Dolan's fresh legs will require attention from the visitors.

Nathan Tella: With changes expected amongst the Saints ranks, Tella could be handed a first start of the season at Rodney Parade.

In fine form in pre-season, the lively attacker will look to stake a claim for Saturday's trip to Newcastle in the Premier League.

Fisher, Ellison, Abraham, Willmott 1

Azaz, Day, Haynes

Adam Armstrong 1

Ché Adams 1

Played: 31

Newport 4

Draws: 10

Saints: 17

January 1968: Newport 2-3 Saints (Sydenham, Saul, Channon)

January 1968: Saints 1-1 Newport (Saul)

October 1960: Saints 5-0 Newport (Paine 2, O’Brien, Reeves, Traynor)

October 1960: Saints 2-2 Newport (O’Brien, Reeves)

October 1960: Newport 2-2 Saints (Paine, Page)

Southampton and Newport County met three times in the first ever League Cup campaign of 1960-61, with Saints progressing with a 5-3 victory in a second replay following two 2-2 draws.

This is the first meeting between Newport and Southampton since January 1968, with Saints winning an FA Cup third round replay 3-2.

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