County to go up against young West Ham prospects again in EFL Trophy

NEWPORT County AFC will go up against West Ham United Under-21s in the EFL Trophy for the second season on the spin.

The Exiles already knew that they will be facing Cheltenham and Reading in Group H of the competition, with teams pooled to minimise travel.

Now they will host the young Hammers, who won 1-0 in Newport last October, with another Rodney Parade game and a trip to either Whaddon Road or Berkshire.

The Exiles paid the price for being wasteful against West Ham last season with Gideon Kodua scoring the winner in a game that ended with dust-ups.

The top two will progress to the knockout stages of the much-maligned tournament, which does have financial incentives.

EFL clubs get £20,000 for taking part in the competition, £10,000 for each win in the group stages and £5,000 for a draw.

A win in the round of 32 earns £20,000, last 16 earns £40,000, quarter-finals £50,000 with the runners-up at Wembley getting £50,000 and the winners £100,000.