Newport County manager Hayden Mullins is looking forward to welcoming Crystal Palace Under-21s to Rodney Parade on Tuesday, with the EFL Trophy group reaching a decisive stage.
The Exiles will qualify for the knockout rounds if they avoid defeat, while Palace must find a way to take maximum points or win a potential penalty shootout to keep their hopes alive. Newport are also seeking to preserve their unbeaten home record this season.
The fixture carries added significance for Mullins, who came through Palace’s youth system before making his senior debut as a teenager under Terry Venables in 1998. He went on to make 257 appearances for the Eagles and captained the club after establishing himself at Selhurst Park.
Mullins has spoken warmly about his former club, describing Palace as the team that gave him his first opportunity in professional football. However, he will now be aiming to guide Newport past the young Eagles and into the next round.
He expects a difficult contest against a Palace side managed by Darren Powell, whom Mullins knows from their playing days together. The Newport boss believes the visitors will bring energy and aggression, with the young players keen to make an impression.
A draw could see Palace move level with Newport on points if they win the accompanying penalty shootout, although County would retain the advantage on goal difference. Both teams could still progress, but that would also require Plymouth to suffer a heavy defeat against Swindon on Tuesday, 10 November.
