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2027-28 Squad Review
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Goalkeepers
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Tom King has been a first team goalkeeper at the club across two separate stints, and was brought back from Salford City ahead of Montgomery's second season at the club to replace the departing Joe Day. After starting strongly in his first campaign, defensive frailties began to expose King's abilities more frequently and he was replaced by Lewis Thomas as the first choice goalkeeper last season. King continues to provide experience and leadership around the dressing room and has become the designated cup goalkeeper.
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Lewis Thomas had been a long-standing target for Hugo Montgomery at goalkeeper and when he finally arrived from Carlisle for a fee of £120,000 at the start of last season, he instantly became a vital part of the club's promotion campaign. Capable of fantastic saves and strong in the air, Thomas has been backed to make the step up to Championship football this season.
Defenders
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Now coming up on his eighth season at Rodney Parade, Aaron Lewis has played 275 games for the club and is seen as one of the leaders of the squad despite not holding a captaincy spot. Lewis' ability to neuter Championship-level wingers has been questioned heavily over the off-season but his versatility and nous still makes him a valuable option for the squad. Lewis is also a dead-eye from the penalty spot, contributing heavily to his eighteen goals under Montgomery.
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Owen Beck was brought in as competition for Declan John last season, and with the more experienced John now turning out for Shamrock Rovers, the ex-Liverpool academy prospect will be looked for as the first team option. Beck's technical prowess can occasionally be limited but he covers ground as well as any in the squad, an important attribute to have in a physically-demanding league such as the Championship.
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Joe Woodiwiss's development was fast tracked from Hugo Montgomery's first season and the decision has paid dividends with the now 24-year old forming one half of League One's best centre back pairing last season. He now has over 150 appearances for the club and was called up to Wales' preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup last year, indicating that a strong season at Championship level should see him break into the senior set-up.
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Woodiwiss' partner-in-crime Jack Madelin has also developed into a reliable centre back, named in the League One Team of the Year last season. Slightly older and taller, Madelin's work rate allows him to reliably substitute on the right flank if need be but his best role is sweeping up loose balls behind a more forward-oriented Woodiwiss.
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Although his quarter-million pound pricetag had some fans scratching their heads, Newport County have been keeping tabs on Jordan Evans for some time now and believe the deal with Solihull Moors will actually be fantastic value-for-money. A fantastic physical specimen who rarely put a foot wrong last season for the Moors, he's already represented Wales at under-21 level and has an extremely high ceiling. He could feature more heavily at Championship level than some fans expect.
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Will Andiyapan has not quite developed into the top-string centre back people had hoped of him when he was at Tottenham Hotspur, but he has been a reliable servant for Newport County over the past three seasons and his versatility has been a helpful tool in rotating the squad. His lack of physical presence could hinder his chances of playing too much this season but he has the fundamentals down to do a job and his tackling in particular is renowned.
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Lloyd Ellis joined the club in the summer after being released by Chelsea and was initially earmarked for a loan to further his development, but his performances over pre-season both on and off the pitch sees him earn a spot in the senior squad for the upcoming season. His versatility across either side of the pitch has also seen his value in the side rise.
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The youngest and most inexperienced player currently training with the senior squad, Ryan Ward may yet leave the club on loan but for now remains as a backup option at right back. The 17 year old has made a handful of appearances for the first team in cup competitions and is considered one of the better academy players at the club currently.
Midfielders
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Returning to the club after a loan spell a few years ago, Callum Jones will likely slot straight into a starting midfield role as the deep lying playmaker, replacing stalwart Lee Evans. He rarely missed a beat in his previous three seasons at Leyton Orient which did include a Championship campaign; he has fantastic passing vision and range for this level and all of the technical skills to pull it off.
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Versatility might be a common thread in Newport County's squad, but Jordan Davies takes it to the next level having featured in central midfield, left back and on the right wing at various stages of his two years at Rodney Parade. Davies and Paul Mullin formed an excellent winger pairing last season and the 29 year old popped up with some key goals at important stages. He'll be battling with new signing Liam Cullen for a starting spot in the side.
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Lee Evans started his career at Newport County when it was battling to rejoin the Football League, and he's been back at the club for a second stint for the past three seasons. Despite not having the physical tools to be a dynamic central midfield player anymore, Evans was still a very important player in Montgomery's set-up, playing in a deep lying midfield role. Evans' spot in the starting XI is likely to be filled by Callum Jones but he remains an invaluable leadership presence in the dressing room.
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Rubin Colwill has more experience at Championship level than any other player in the squad which is why he was so highly sought after as a free transfer target. The ex-Cardiff player possesess a well-rounded game and can leave his imprint on games in an attacking midfield role, where he is set to feature heavily for Newport County.
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Much like his dad Robbie, Charlie Savage is a tenacious and hard-working midfielder who has put in shifts from box-to-box ever since joining the club permanently two years ago. After some early injury troubles, he's become one of the first names on the team sheet and is being monitored closely by Wales manager Rob Page for a potential call-up.
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Club captain Josh Sheehan is another player who returned to Newport County during Montgomery's reign and he's been captain of the club for the past three seasons. He's rotated heavily with Lee Evans and Charlie Savage the last two seasons but age is beginning to catch up with him, and he'll likely feature more reliably off the bench, leaving on-field leadership duties to the likes of Aaron Lewis and Jack Madelin.
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Kieron Evans started his Newport County career incredibly well after a £200k move from Cardiff City, but his form tapered away as the season went on and was replaced in the starting eleven by Paul Mullin. Evans has reportedly had a falling out with management over the myriad of attacking signings this season which may push him further out of first team considerations.
Forwards
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Few Newport County players have had so many inches of editorial space dedicated to them than Joe Taylor, first due to his heroic goalscoring efforts and then due to his struggles for regular first team action when the club seemed to be prioritising the development of Owen Jones. Taylor remains a lethal finisher and one of the quickest players in the Championship and is the top scorer in Newport County history with 128 goals in 189 appearances.
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Cult hero 'Super' Paul Mullin moved from Wrexham last season and became an instant hit on the left wing with Exiles fans. He's still very mobile and elusive for his age and his lethal finishing caused opposition backlines plenty of headaches, clocking up 14 goals and 13 assists. At 32, he'll finally get the chance to play Championship football but will face stern competition for his spot with Isaak Davies and Kieron Evans.
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What Isaak Davies may lack in terms of technical ability is more than made up for by his rapid pace and his work ethic, making him a thorn in the side of any press-sensitive defense. He has a reasonable amount of Championship experience with Cardiff but his role at the club isn't clear at this point in time, apart from being available to play across both wings and up front.
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Bradley Burchell remains one of the rawest prospects at the club and even three years after making his debut it is unclear what kind of future he'll be able to carve out at this level. But Burchell has stepped up to every challenge thrown at him in his brief career to date, and last season if not for injuries could have been lauded as one of League One's top attacking players. He racked up four goals and nine assists in just 21 appearances which has earnt him a place in the squad.
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The third player to be poached from rivals Wrexham in recent memory, Liam Cullen has been a target for the club for a number of years and will finally be under Hugo Montgomery's stewardship this season. Although more comfortable as a striker, much like Davies and Mullin he will be employed on a wing where his above average crossing and acceleration can be utiilised.
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The most valuable player at the club and a growing Welsh football icon, Owen Jones has developed steadily since joining as an 18 year old from Barry Town and will now be expected to drag Newport County to survival at the tender age of 20. A pure poacher in every sense of the word, Jones only needs a split second chance to score with his deadly accurate right foot. He's a deceptively hard worker too despite his laconic appearance.
Penybont
2-7
Mumbles
Undy
Manchester United
3-4
Tottenham
Forest Green
Wrexham
