FA Cup: Leeds United to face third round trip to Newport County

The clubs met for only the second time in competitive circumstances in the Carabao Cup in August but they will clash again when Leeds visit Rodney Parade over the first weekend of January.

United claimed a 5-1 win in their August encounter, helped by Kemar Roofe’s hat-trick. The second-round tie was staged at Elland Road despite County being drawn at home.

The Football League agreed to switch the game to Yorkshire due to the ongoing installation of a new hybrid pitch at Rodney Parade, a ground which also hosts Newport’s rugby union side.

Despite the change of venue, Leeds agreed to share 45 per cent of gate receipts with the Welsh club.

County, however, returned to their stadium later that month and the 7,800-capacity venue will host United in the FA Cup’s third round next month. Newport are currently on the verge of League Two’s play-off zone.

United saw off another League Two side, Shaun Derry’s Cambridge United, in round three of last season’s FA Cup before suffering a humiliating loss to non-league Sutton United in the next stage. Both ties were televised but the Football Association is yet to announce which of next month’s fixtures will be broadcast live.

Thomas Christiansen’s squad have already enjoyed a productive run in this term’s League Cup, losing to Leicester City in the fourth round after knocking out Port Vale, Newport and Burnley.