Phil SumblerThe Swans will face a Welsh derby to open their campaign in this season’s Carabao Cup thanks to today’s draw that saw them handed a trip along the M4 to face Newport in the First Round of the competition.
Around a date when traditionally the first round is usually being played, the Swans only found out their opponents today with the fixtures taking place the weekend of 5th September, the week before the EFL season starts once again.
As with previous seasons the first round draw has been split into North and South sections with all sides outside of the Premier League included bar Bournemouth and Watford who were relegated from the top division last season.
The Swans last faced Newport in a competitive fixture in November 2006 when we won 3-1 away in the FA Cup although the Under-21s have played them in recent seasons in the EFL trophy.
The game could be bought forward ahead of the international break if both sides can agree a mutual date to play.
The full draw for the first round reads as follows
Northern section
- Tranmere v Harrogate Town
- Crewe Alexandra v Lincoln City
- Walsall v Sheffield Wednesday
- Rochdale v Huddersfield Town
- Preston North End v Mansfield Town
- Bolton Wanderers v Bradford City
- Blackburn Rovers v Doncaster Rovers
- Stoke City v Blackpool
- Fleetwood Town v Wigan Athletic
- Grimsby Town v Morecambe
- Middlesbrough v Shrewsbury Town
- Derby County v Barrow
- Scunthorpe United v Port Vale
- Sunderland v Hull City
- Burton Albion v Accrington Stanley
- Salford City v Rotherham United
- Barnsley v Nottingham Forest
- Oldham Athletic v Carlisle United
Southern section
- Bristol City v Exeter City
- Plymouth Argyle v Queens Park Rangers
- Swindon Town v Charlton Athletic
- Forest Green Rovers v Leyton Orient
- MK Dons v Coventry City
- Crawley Town v Millwall
- Stevenage v Portsmouth
- Peterborough United v Cheltenham Town
- Brentford v Wycombe Wanderers
- Northampton Town v Cardiff City
- Luton Town v Norwich City
- Birmingham City v Cambridge United
- Newport County v Swansea City
- Oxford United v AFC Wimbledon
- Reading v Colchester United
- Gillingham v Southend United
- Ipswich Town v Bristol Rovers
