NEWPORT County AFCâs bid for another cup upset will be hindered by a struggle to fill their bench, according to manager Graham Coughlan.
The Exiles welcome Charlton Athletic to Rodney Parade on Tuesday evening (kick-off 7.3opm) in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
While the competition isnât as lucrative as the FA Cup, it still presents the chance to earn a financial boost with a tie against Premier League opposition.
If they can stun the League one Addicks, who beat Leyton Orient 1-0 on opening day, then they would go into the regionalised draw for the second round when Premier League Chelsea, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Bournemouth could be their opposition.
Clubs get 45 per cent of match proceeds with 10 per cent going to the competition pool.
Newport County take to the field at Accrington (Image: Huw Evans Agency)
However, Coughlan is not blessed with a wealth of options after his side started the League Two season with a 3-o defeat at Accrington Stanley, when they paid the price for poor finishing before a late pair of goals.
County are without the long-term injured pair of central defender Declan Drysdale, who did travel with the squad to Lancashire but had been expected to be out until October, and striker Offrande Zanzala, who is unlikely to play until 2o24.
They also started the season without talisman and ex-Charlton striker Omar Bogle, who is being cautiously nursed back from a quad problem given his importance to the side.
Forward Kiban Rai was a late withdrawal at Accrington due to a migraine while right wing-back Shane McLoughlin was forced off in the second half after a blow to his hip.
Coughlanâs predecessors Michael Flynn and James Rowberry were able to rotate their squads for the League Cup but there is a danger that County wonât fill the larger 2o-man squad for the Charlton game.
County boss Graham Coughlan (Image: Huw Evans Agency)
âI donât even think we have the 18, to be honest,â said Coughlan after the Accrington defeat. âIf I can fill a teamsheet I will be lucky.
âThat is what I am going to have to do over the next 48 hours, try and get 18 names on the teamsheet.
âThere are a couple of walking wounded and the lads will have to recharge, regroup, and go again on Tuesday.â
Coughlan does have the ability to rotate in midfield with Harry Charsley and James Waite used off the bench at Accrington while Sam Bowen was an unused substitute.
The manager turned to the academy to fill his squads in pre-season with teenage first-teamers Rai and Harrison Bright joined by defender Harrison Page and forwards Riley Lonergan and Moses Alexander-Walker.
Alexander-Walker, who was formerly of Bristol Cityâs academy, was especially lively but only turned 16 this summer.
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