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Match Preview: Leeds United v Newport County - Whites must defeat Welsh minnows to progress
Tuesday, 22nd Aug 2017 06:43 by @LucasMonk_

Following their triumph over adversity in Saturday’s superlative victory away to Sunderland, Leeds United will tonight seek progression into the third round of the Carabao Cup at home against Newport County of League Two.

A concatenation of circumstances made Leeds United’s 2-0 success over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday all the more impressive. In spite of the absence of talismanic striker Chris Wood - who completed his £15,000,000 transfer to Premier League Burnley yesterday - and injuries to forward Caleb Ekuban and attacking midfielder Pablo Hernandez in either half, United produced a dogged and resolute performance to secure their second league win of the season. Each player worked assiduously for one another, and the collective resolve of the Whites proved enough as Thomas Christiansen’s side extended their undefeated sequence of results while ending that of their opponents.

That result saw Leeds elevated to fifth in the Championship table and, though Wood has departed, there remains much about which United supporters can feel positive ahead of tonight’s match. Endeavours to secure attacking reinforcements have already commenced, with bids reputedly having been submitted for both Middlesbrough’s Rudy Gestede and NEC’s Jay-Roy Grot; furthermore, the visit of Newport this evening should - the operative word - see Leeds safely enter the third round of the Carabao Cup.

As was the case prior to the visit of Port Vale on the 9th of the month, United head coach Christiansen is anticipated to opt for wholesale alterations to his starting lineup for this fixture. With a match of crucial importance away to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and with United facing inferior opposition in a League Two side, many of Leeds’ most salient first-team stars are likely to be omitted from tonight’s encounter.

Welsh opponents Newport County, who have enjoyed a sprightly start to the new League Two campaign, will enter this match having secured their first league victory of the season away to promotion contenders Coventry City. A long distance strike from on-loan Brentford midfielder Reece Cole was fumbled by City ‘keeper Liam O’Brien proved decisive for Mike Flynn’s charges, who are yet to play at home this season due to the pitch at their stadium, Rodney Parade, being re-laid. It is for that reason that tonight’s game is being contested at Elland Road, and Leeds have agreed to share 45% of the gate income for the match.

County’s squad boasts a number of seasoned campaigners; among them, midfielders Joss Labadie and Ben Tozer and defender David Pipe. A workmanlike outfit who narrowly eluded relegation last season, Newport are hopeful of avoiding a relegation skirmish in the current campaign in addition to giving a good account of themselves tonight.

Leeds comprehensively defeated Port Vale by a scoreline of four goals to one in their first round tie, while Newport defeated League One side Southend United away from home 2-0.

Team News

Leeds United

Striker Caleb Ekuban (foot) and attacking midfielder Pablo Hernandez (hip) are unlikely to play any part in the match after sustaining injuries during the recent victory over Sunderland.

Speculation persists that forward Souleymane Doukara will leave Elland Road before the closure of the transfer window, though the Frenchman remains available for selection and may well be afforded a first appearance of the season following the departure of Chris Wood.

With Leeds having had their ranks cruelly depleted by injury of late, defender Paudie O'Connor and strikers Mallik Wilks and Eoghan Stokes - all of United's Under-23 side - have been drafted into the matchday squad by Thomas Christiansen.

Finally, defenders Matthew Pennington (ankle) and Gaetano Berardi (shoulder) will miss out through injury.

Newport County

Former Yeovil midfielder Ben Tozer could make his first appearance since January after overcoming a knee injury while defender Scott Bennett recently returned from the sidelines as a substitute during the win over Coventry.

Striker Shawn McCoulsky, on loan from Bristol City, scored both of the County goals in the victory over Southend in the first round and is likely to start in attack. Fellow forward Marlon Jackson is not, however, going to feature as he remains plagued by a hamstring ailment.

Match Details

Venue: Elland Road (37,890).

Coverage: The match is scheduled to begin at 19:45pm and live commentary will be available via BBC Radio Leeds. Alternatively, developments can be followed by way of either of the Twitter accounts of both clubs.

Match Facts

There has only been one previous meeting between the two sides; a meeting in January 1949 at Elland Road saw Newport emerge as 3-1 winners in the FA Cup.

Both teams enter this match having each recorded an undefeated sequence of results thus far this season.

Newport’s 2-0 win away to Southend United in the first round was the club’s first victory in the competition August 2013 - a 3-1 success over Brighton and Hove Albion after extra-time.

Star Men

Leeds United: Mateusz Klich

A Poland international of 27 years, Mateusz Klich was a favourite of the FC Twente supporters throughout the entirety of the 2016-17 season; the former Wolfsburg midfielder, who has been capped on 10 occasions by his country, scored 6 goals in 29 appearances as the Enschede club achieved seventh place in the Dutch Eredivisie. Klich has not yet completed a full competitive match in Leeds colours since joining United for an undisclosed fee in June, but he did start in the Whites' 4-1 victory over Port Vale in the first round and is likely to do so again. Composed in possession and with an eye for goal, Klich will doubtless be eager to showcase his talents in the view of Leeds supporters once again.

Newport County: Shawn McCoulsky

The 20-year-old forward, on loan from Bristol City, first rose to prominence in 2015 following a spell at non-league Dulwich Hamlet that saw the player score an impressive nine goals in 13 games. His imperious form for the Hamlet earnt him his move to his current club in October 2015. Further loan spells with Weston-super-Mare (2016) and Bath City (2017) in the Vanarama National League South saw the forward score a combined 16 goals in 26 appearances, displaying an uncanny ability to find the net with regularity that attracted the attention of the Newport management this summer. Having made an impactful start to his time with the Exiles, McCoulsky will doubtless be crucial to the chances of the Rodney Parade side in the near future.

Writer’s Verdict

Following that quite remarkable victory over Sunderland in barren circumstances of some extremity, tonight’s visit of Newport County represents a (hopefully) relatively facile passage into the next round in addition to an opportunity for squad rotation.

The most greatly discussed point ahead of this fixture has been, without question, as to who will spearhead United’s attacking vanguard following the recent departure of Chris Wood and the injury to Caleb Ekuban during the Sunderland match. Souleymane Doukara has been touted as a temporary antidote to Leeds’ injury woes, though the former Vibonese and Catania forward has been heavily linked with a move away for several weeks. Another potential solution may be to afford an opportunity to fledgling striker Malik Wilks.

As all sides of their ilk do, Newport will toil and shall be eager to make an impression on a larger stage than that upon which they usually play - but this is most certainly a game many expect Leeds to win comfortably.

Prediction: Leeds United 3-0 Newport County

Photo: Action Images



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