Newport 'must learn lessons' of past failures
BBC Sport Wales pundit Nathan Blake looks ahead to Newport County's upcoming campaign after the League Two fixtures were released.
Ex-Wales striker Blake assesses the Exiles' transfer work so far this summer - and says the club must learn lessons if they are to progress in 2026-27.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyNewport County will take on AFC Wimbledon in the opening round of the 2026-27 Carabao Cup.
The Exiles will make the trip to Plough Lane to face the League One side over the weekend of 7-9 August.
Christian Fuchs' men then welcome Rochdale to Rodney Parade for their League Two opener on Saturday, 15 August.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyNewport County will take on Plymouth Argyle, Swindon Town and Crystal Palace Under-21s in the group stage of the 2026-27 English Football League (EFL) Trophy.
The Exiles have been drawn into Group E of the southern section alongside fellow League Two side Swindon and League One club Plymouth, in addition to Premier League outfit Palace's young guns.
Fixture dates and kick-off times are still to be announced.
Newport missed out on progression to the knockout stages last season having finished third in their group. Their sole group phase win in 2025-26 came against south Wales rivals Cardiff City.
Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales
Image source, Newport County AFCNewport County have signed forward Shaquille Gwengwe from Southern League Premier Division South side Poole Town.
The 24-year-old arrives in south Wales after a remarkable campaign in which he scored 46 goals in 46 appearances for the Dorset club, form that County say had "attracted widespread interest from across the football pyramid".
In a statement, Newport added that they had "beaten off strong competition" to secure the striker's signature, with Gwengwe regarded as "one of non-league football's most sought-after forwards".
The forward spent one season at Poole Town having previously played for Dorchester and AFC Totton, where his goalscoring pedigree followed him.
His arrival provides head coach Christian Fuchs with an additional attacking option for the upcoming League Two season, particularly following the departures of Bobby Kamwa and Michael Spellman last week.
"Everyone at Newport County would like to welcome Shaquille to the club and wish him every success in amber," the Welsh club added.
The move continues a busy week at Rodney Parade, with defenders Cameron Evans and Ciaran Brennan both signing new contracts as Newport continue preparations for the 2026-27 campaign.
1912 Exiles: 'We're fishing in the bargain bin'
BBC Sport Wales' Ian Hunt speaks to 1912 Exiles podcaster Ed Bridges amid contract concerns at Newport County.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyIwan Roberts believes Christian Fuchs should remain at Newport County amid links to the Leicester City job.
The Austria international won the Premier League with the Foxes in 2015-16 and led the Exiles to survival in League Two in his first ever full-time role as a head coach.
It has led to murmurings that he could take charge at King Power Stadium following Leicester's relegation into League One.
But former Leicester and Wales striker Roberts hopes Fuchs remains at Rodney Parade to build on the foundations he has laid in his debut season at the club.
"First 16 games under Dave Hughes, they won 11 points. Since then, Christian Fuchs has been in charge for 30 games and he's won 32 points," Roberts told the BBC's Feast of Football podcast.
"With roughly a point per game, you stay in the league quite comfortably.
"He came in at a tough time to work at a club which was fighting for its life and its survival in the Football League.
"He's done what he needed to do and he's kept them in the league.
"There's obviously going to be links to Leicester because he had some really successful years there. He's highly-thought of at the club.
"Is he the man to get Leicester back in the Championship? I'm not too sure.
"I'd love to see him have another season at Newport and try and build on what he's achieved this season, because it has to be better."
Image source, Getty ImagesWaterford FC have appointed former Newport County manager Graham Coughlan as their new head coach.
The 51-year-old was in charge at Rodney Parade between October 2022 and June 2024, guiding the Exiles to 15th and 18th-place finishes in League Two.
Coughlan's spell in south Wales produced a record of 33 wins, 22 draws and 38 defeats, with the highlight an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Manchester United.
Newport were beaten 4-2 at Rodney Parade after recovering from two goals down shortly after half-time.
Since leaving Newport, Coughlan has more recently managed Boston United in the National League, steering them to safety after taking over with the club in the relegation zone.
Boston collected 20 points from nine matches under his guidance, reinforcing Coughlan's reputation as a manager adept at rescuing struggling sides.
That experience will be tested at Waterford, who sit bottom of the League of Ireland Premier Division after 15 games, nine points adrift of ninth-placed Sligo Rovers.
The Dublin native was also present as Newport secured League Two safety in dramatic fashion on the final day at Barrow, where their former boss was working alongside Barrow boss Sam Foley before departing following the club's relegation.
Coughlan will link up with former Newport favourite Padraig Amond at the club, with chairman Jamie Pilley hopeful the appointment can spark a turnaround in the Blues' fortunes.
