Head Coach Nelson Jardim has emphasised that competition for places in the Newport County squad is wide open ahead of their midweek cup tie against Reading.
The Exiles face the Royals this evening in a winner-takes-all encounter at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, with the victors securing a place in the knockout stages of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.
Newport have not progressed beyond the group stage of the competition since the 2022-23 season, but Jardim's side will be hoping to emulate the club's best-ever run in 2020, when they reached the semi-finals before narrowly losing to Salford City on penalties.
“In football it is ruthless, the players know that, they have to take that chance,” said Jardim.
"They have to show, especially in these games, they are up to it, they are at it every time they play, they are committed and focused and they have that enthusiasm and energy.
"When you lose that you are going to suffer. You need that and they have to show that again and again."
Currently sitting third in Southern Group H, Newport are level on points with Reading but have an inferior goal difference after a 2-1 home defeat to Cheltenham Town - where young goalkeeper Jacob Carney was sent off - and a narrow 1-0 win over West Ham United Under-21s.
Cheltenham have already secured top spot in the group with a perfect record, but second place will also progress to the knockout rounds.
Jardim admitted that the loss to Cheltenham, where a strong first-half performance was undone by Carney's red card, has left Newport in a must-win situation.
“We want to go through,” added the Exiles boss. “The first game against Cheltenham we had one of our best halves but then we had Jacob’s sending off, which changed the game and we ended up losing.
“That has put us in the position where we have to win this game to go as far as possible in this competition.”
Looking ahead to the Reading fixture, Jardim confirmed he would field a strong team, though he would also make some rotations to maintain squad freshness.
The fixture could provide defender Shane McLoughlin with an opportunity to make his first start since suffering a knee injury nearly two months ago during the 4-1 League Two defeat to Port Vale.
Since his return, McLoughlin has been gradually eased back into action, making two appearances as a substitute.
“We will put a strong side out because we want consistency and momentum while also resting one or two,” he explained.
“It’s another big game for us and it’s a chance to respond from Saturday’s defeat to Tranmere.”
