NEWPORT County AFC will learn their fixture list for the coming League Two season next Friday morning – and will kick off the campaign with a Carabao Cup clash.

The Exiles, who haven’t played since losing at Carlisle in March, will get the 2020/21 campaign under way with a round one cup clash on Saturday, September 5.

Michael Flynn’s side, who were beaten by West Ham United at Rodney Parade in the competition last year, will learn their opponents in an unseeded draw, split into northern and southern sections, on Sky Sports News on Tuesday.

That knockout clash will be followed by their opener in the group stages of the EFL trophy, with the competition format unchanged.

South Wales Argus: Lewis Collins shoots in County's EFL Trophy clash with West Ham U21sLewis Collins shoots in County's EFL Trophy clash with West Ham U21s

The Exiles made the semi-finals last season, when beaten on penalties by Salford City in Newport, and will learn their opponents in a draw at 1.30pm on Tuesday on TalkSPORT2.

The League Two season starts on September 12 with the final round of games on the weekend of May 8.

The English Football League have announced that fixtures will be released next Friday at 9am with a hectic schedule that features 11 midweek match rounds.

South Wales Argus:

The season will end with the play-off finals at Wembley over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend 29-31 May 2021.

County have been joined in League Two by Southend, Bolton, Tranmere, Barrow and Harrogate while Swindon, Crewe, Plymouth and Northampton went up with Macclesfield dropping down.

It has also been announced that FA Cup replays have been abolished for the forthcoming season and prize money reduced to 2017/18 levels as a result of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

With a shortened season starting a month later than usual there is more pressure on an already compacted calendar and the Football Association has taken the decision that all ties in the cup competition will be decided on the day.

Participating clubs, however, will be financially affected.

"In order to assist in easing pressure on the football schedule, there will be no replays for the 2020-21 season," said an FA statement.

"After two seasons of record levels of prize funds, the Emirates FA Cup prize fund has returned back in line with 2017-18 levels due to the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic."

Carabao Cup dates

Round One: September 5 (alternative dates may apply due to the international window)

Round Two: September 15/16

Round Three: September 22/23

Round Four: September 29/30

Round Five: December 22/23

Semi-Finals: January 5/6 (one leg, tie to be played at the venue of club drawn out first)

Final: February 28

EFL Trophy dates

Matchday 1: September 8/9

Matchday 2: October 6/7

Matchday 3: November 10/11

Round of 32: December 8/9

Round of 16: January 12/13

Quarter-finals: February 2/3

Semi-Finals: February 16/17

Final: March 14

Category One invited clubs taking part: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Fulham, Leeds United, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Norwich City (EFL), Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers