Newport County AFC have this afternoon received permission from the EFL to reverse any potential home draw due to the resurfacing of the Rodney Parade pitch. A similar approach was granted for the first round draw when the Club were drawn at home to Southend United and the tie was reversed. In addition to ourselves permission has also been granted to West Ham United due to other events taking place at the Olympic Stadium, therefore to avoid any potential fixture clash with West Ham United it has been agreed that Newport County AFC will be placed in the Northern Region of the Carabao Cup
Due to the proximity of the second-round tie which is due to be played in the week leading up to our first home game of the season against Chesterfield on 26th August, the Club has been liaising with the WRU as to the possibility of playing at Rodney Parade a few days in advance of the opening home fixture. Despite positive discussions with the WRU it has proven unfeasible to bring the use of the pitch forward due to a variety of resurfacing and health and safety factors. Consequently, the Club has made a late application to the EFL to grant reversal permissions and would like to thank the WRU and the EFL for the support they have provided to the Club with this matter.
Newport County AFC booked their place in the draw with a 2-0 win over Southend United on Tuesday night and could face any of the following Northern seeded teams.
North Seeds
1. Aston Villa
2. Burnley
3. Derby County / Grimsby Town
4. Huddersfield Town
5. Hull City
6. Leeds United
7. Leicester City
8. Middlesbrough
9. Newcastle United
10. Sheffield Wednesday
11. Stoke City
12. West Bromwich Albion
13. Sunderland / Barnsley*
*In the event Sunderland overcome Bury this evening at the Energy Check Stadium at Gigg Lane, Barnsley will drop into the unseeded pot. If there is a home win then the Oakwell Club will be seeded at ball number 13 in the Northern draw and Bury will be ball 14.
The draw for the Second Round of the Carabao Cup will take place tonight live on Sky Sports after the Bury v Sunderland match at 10pm (except in the event of Extra Time & Penalties.)