Date set for Bristol Rovers reunion with Graham Coughlan at Newport County & West Ham - EFL Trophy details

Bristol Rovers will begin their 2023/24 EFL Trophy campaign against their League One rivals Cheltenham Town in early September at the Memorial Stadium.

The Gas face Cheltenham Town, Newport County and West Ham’s Under-21’s in their group. Full details of their fixtures have now emerged with two home matches and one away trip with 90 minute matches and a penalty shootout should the match finish a draw.

Joey Barton’s side begin their involvement in the competition on Tuesday, September 5 against rivals Cheltenham at 7.45 pm. Rovers then host West Ham on Tuesday, October 10, which is their first competitive match with the Hammers since an FA Cup defeat in 2015. Premier League Under-21’s teams are made to be away in all of their matches, and West Ham’s young Premier League 2 side will get to experience a match against Rovers.

Their Trophy campaign will then conclude in South Wales at Rodney Parade against Newport County - who are managed by former Gas boss Graham Coughlan on Tuesday, November 14, with a scheduled kick-off time of 7.45 pm. All games are subject to change and kick-off times could be brought forward closer to the time.

Coughlan is yet to manage against his former club in a competitive fixture since his shock departure from the Mem in 2019. He was appointed defensive coach under Darrell Clarke and later became their permanent manager after securing League One survival in the 2017/18 campaign. Twenty games into the 2018/19 season, he departed Rovers after a 2-1 win over Ipswich Town, with the club positioned fourth in the standings, and opted to take over at Mansfield Town in League Two.

• Bristol Rovers v Cheltenham Town (Tuesday, September 5, 7.45 pm)
• Bristol Rovers v West Ham Under-21’s (Tuesday, October 10, 7.45 pm)
• Newport County v Bristol Rovers ( Tuesday, November 14, 7.45 pm)