Newport County can put their squad rebuilding to the test when they reignite an old rivalry with Cardiff City next season.
The two Welsh clubs are set to go head-to-head in the group stage of the newly renamed Vertu Trophy (formerly the EFL Trophy).
The clash marks a rare competitive meeting between the sides and promises to be a standout fixture in the 2025/26 group phase.
County and Cardiff have both been drawn into Southern Group A alongside Exeter City, with one additional team to be confirmed — an Under-21 side from a Premier League academy.
The potential opponents include some of the country’s biggest names, such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham, with the final draw for the under-21 teams taking place on Thursday, June 26, live on Sky Sports News from 2:30pm.
While the fixtures and venues are yet to be finalised, the spotlight will undoubtedly fall on the south Wales derby, as Newport and Cardiff prepare to face off in a competition fixture for the first time since the FAW Premier Cup clash in 2008.
That game ended in a memorable penalty shoot-out win for County at Ninian Park, against a Bluebirds squad boasting experienced names like Trevor Sinclair and Riccardo Scimeca.
READ MORE: David Hughes Set To Take Charge At Newport County As Club Clears Decks For Fresh Start
You have to go back even further — to the 1987/88 season — for their last meeting in the English Football League, when both clubs were in the Fourth Division.
Cardiff’s recent relegation from the Championship makes this derby possible once again, and fans on both sides will relish the revival of one of Welsh football’s dormant rivalries.
Earlier this week, new County boss David Hughes signed Wales C defender Lee Jenkins from Cymru Premier side Haverfordwest County.
Jenkins, 23, was the League Two club's fourth signing under Hughes, following the arrival of Wales senior international Matt Smith, New Zealand goalkeeper Nik Tzanev and striker Ged Garner.
It’s shaping up to be a hectic Thursday for Newport County fans.
On top of the Vertu Trophy draw, the League Two fixture list for the upcoming campaign will also be revealed at midday, providing a first look at the David Hughes era, with his side kicking off their season on the first weekend of August.
Later that same afternoon, from 4:30pm, County will learn their path in the League Cup.
The preliminary round will determine whether they face Barnet at home or away in the week following the season opener, followed by the full first-round draw.
