Steve Cooper | Let's rise to cup challenge

Steve Cooper expects his players to rise to the challenge of change when Swansea City kick-off their season against Newport County this afternoon (3pm).

With the season starting later than usual due to the postponement of football following covid-19, a change in fixture scheduling pits the Swans against the Exiles in the Carabao Cup at Rodney Parade.

The game also falls during an international window, with the Swans missing the likes of Wales debutant Ben Cabango and Connor Roberts along with Bersant Celina (Kosovo) and Marc Guehi (England Under-21s) along with Liam Cullen, Brandon Cooper, Jack Evans, Joe Lewis and Oli Cooper (Wales Under-21s).

The Swans, winners of the Carabao Cup in 2013, prepared for this tie with a 2-1 victory over Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday afternoon, with a number of players banking valuable game-time.

And despite the disruptions, Cooper wants his players to deal efficiently with the job ahead against Michael Flynn’s Exiles.

“It’s slightly different to have a cup game before the domestic league season starts,” said Cooper.

“It’s different to how it was before but a lot of things are different now due to the effects of the pandemic.

“We treat everything as it comes. If you’re going to be away from home, you don’t want to be travelling too far, so that’s one bonus.

“It’s a game that we want to do well in and it’s a game that we want to win. We’re looking forward to it.”