Newport v Oxford preview
Tuesday 28 August 2018 11:45, UK
Newport manager Michael Flynn could freshen up his side for Oxford's Carabao Cup trip to south Wales on Tuesday.
Flynn has named the same starting XI for the last two league games and might tinker with a winning formula as County seek to emulate their run in last season's FA Cup.
David Pipe, Mark O'Brien, Charlie Cooper and Jamille Matt will be considered for starting spots, while Andrew Crofts (toe infection), Mark Harris (thigh) and Robbie Willmott (hamstring) hope to be involved.
Oxford will travel with confidence after their first league win of the season at home to Burton on Saturday. Boss Karl Robinson will be reluctant to make too many changes after that 3-1 victory but Ricky Holmes has made a strong case for inclusion.
Holmes has been sidelined by a back complaint in recent weeks but scored shortly after coming off the bench against Burton. Luke Garbutt and Rob Dickie hope to figure after featuring in the first-round win against Coventry but Simon Eastwood (dislocated finger) and Rob Hall (knee) remain out.
Opta stats
Newport are winless in four matches against Oxford (all in League Two) since a 3-2 win in February 2014.
Newport and Oxford have never faced one another in the League Cup.
Newport are aiming to reach the League Cup third round for the first time since the 1962-63 campaign.
Outside the first round, this is the first time Oxford United have played a League Cup tie against a side from a lower division since facing York City in the second round in 1997-98 - they won 6-1 on aggregate.
Oxford manager Karl Robinson has faced Newport County in the League Cup once previously, when he was in charge of MK Dons - they won 3-2 in the first round in 2016-17.
