NEWPORT County AFC will finish their preparations for the start of the League Two campaign with a clash against familiar foes Forest Green Rovers.

The Exiles will head to the New Lawn on Saturday, July 23 (kick-off 3pm) for their last tune-up for the season, which gets under way the following weekend.

County lost 2-0 in Gloucestershire last season with the Rovers going on to win the League Two title, edging out Exeter City for top spot.

The champions have endured a tough off season with manager Rob Edwards leaving for Watford, followed by the influential duo of Ebou Adams and Kane Wilson heading for the Championship with Cardiff and Bristol Rovers respectively.

The clash will provide a final chance for County’s squad to impress manager James Rowberry, who will have a look at his new-look side in six published fixtures away from their Rodney Parade home.

They get under way with the usual encounter with Undy AFC on Friday, July 1 before locking horns with Hungerford Town in a behind closed doors fixture at Dragon Park in Newport on Saturday, July 9.

County take on Cardiff City at Leckwith Stadium on Tuesday, July 12; that clash is set to be a pair of hour-long games and only home fans will be allowed in.

The Exiles play a double-header on the weekend of July 15 with a Friday night trip to Weston-sper-Mare followed by a Saturday afternoon tune-up against Torquay United.

The Forest Green game rounds off the schedule with away fans allowed in at Nailsworth.

County return for pre-season testing next Wednesday and will learn their fixture schedule the following morning.

The League Two season starts on Saturday, July 30 and won't break for the World Cup.

PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE

July 1: Undy AFC (A) – 7pm

July 9: Hungerford Town (H, Dragon Park, behind closed doors) – 2pm

July 12: Cardiff City (A, Leckwith Stadim, home fans only) – 6.30pm

July 15: Weston-Super-Mare (A) – 7.30pm

July 16: Torquay United (A) – 3pm

July 23: Forest Green Rovers (A) – 3pm