NEWPORT County AFC will use the EFL Trophy to keep competition for starting spots fierce with manager James Rowberry declaring young prospects have to earn their chances.

The Exiles start the competition with a trip to Exeter City tomorrow evening (kick-off 7pm), a game that is followed by home fixtures against Forest Green Rovers and Southampton U21s in the group stages.

The tournament has usually been used to give opportunities to up-and-coming talent but, at this stage of the season at least, County are keen for senior players to get game time.

Rowberry used 20 starters in the Carabao Cup upset of Portsmouth in between the League Two successes against Tranmere and Harrogate.

With Offrande Zanzala their sole injury absentee, the squad strength was shown by defender Priestley Farquharson, midfielder Sam Bowen and striker Chanka Zimba travelling to Yorkshire but not being in the 18-man matchday squad.

South Wales Argus: OPTIONS: County boss James Rowberry will field a strong side at ExeterOPTIONS: County boss James Rowberry will field a strong side at Exeter

“We want to have another good cup run. We want to put a strong team out to win the game,” said Rowberry. “We have to recover well because we want a strong performance to win in Exeter.

“We will do the same as we have for the League Cup. We will work it and utilise the squad, as we did in Harrogate with the substitutions.

“It’s about maintaining fitness levels because even when we made changes for Portsmouth we still looked physically strong and competed with a very strong League One team.

“We take everything seriously, we have a strong squad and have to keep using it. I believe we have 21, 22 starters and that is evident in what we are trying to achieve. I get a few sleepless nights at times.”

Right-back Harrison Bright, midfielder Jack Karadogan and forward Tom Stokes featured in pre-season for the Exiles but the academy prospects won’t be gifted senior appearances.

South Wales Argus: PROSPECT: County defender Harrison BrightPROSPECT: County defender Harrison Bright

“They are always in my thoughts but everything here has to be earned,” said Rowberry. “You have to earn a position in a team, I am not just going to put young players in there for the sake of it.

“They are working hard each day and had a development game last Wednesday which I was pleased with, especially Jack’s performance, but we have a strong senior squad that we have got to use.”

Central defender Priestley Farquharson will aim to play his first 90 minutes since last September in Exeter after he had a knee operation at the end of last season.