SWINDON Town will discover the club's 2023-24 League Two fixtures on Thursday morning along with their League Cup first-round opponents and the final EFL Trophy group-stage rival.

Town have long known next season's status following an extremely underwhelming campaign under Scott Lindsey and Jody Morris in 22-23.

Aiming to quickly move on under the guidance of new boss, Mike Flynn, Swindon will begin the new term in early August after a seven-game pre-season programme.

Before then, Thursday's 9am news reminds us all that the competitive action is not far away. With that in mind, here are a few interesting items to look out for on EFL fixture release day.

NEW BALLS PLEASE

I know it's tennis season, but the often-heard phrase around grass courts up and down the country applies to football too in this case.

The EFL has revealed a new ball for the 2023-24 season which is once again called the Puma Orbita, but with a different design. Instead of the V-print - which was supposed to be a nod to the Mitre ball of the 90s - this year's offering contains six red and blue lines on opposite sides facing either vertically or horizontally.

A teaser video has been released already, but the official announcement is expected to arrive on Thursday morning.

Alternatively, if you can't wait to see it, it does seem to be on sale online already.

UP FOR THE CUP

As you may have already seen on the Adver Sport website, following the League Two fixtures at 9am, both the League Cup and EFL Trophy first-round draws will be completed at various points throughout the day.

League Cup draw details - which number is Swindon Town?

EFL Trophy group-stage draw - two sides already picked to face Town.

Town haven't made it past the first round of the League Cup in any of the past eight seasons, but they will find out who stands in their way this time at around 2:30pm.

Before that, the invited Premier League academy side will be placed into Group G of the southern section at around 11:30am, joining Swindon, Exeter City, and Reading.

OPENING DAY

Despite Swindon's 3-0 shellacking against Harrogate Town last season, the Robins remain inside the top 10 of best opening-day records among professional English clubs.

If they are to stay there into 2024-25, Swindon will have to claim victory against whoever they face. Easy or difficult on paper, a home clash will surely tip the scales in Town's favour slightly.

BIG NAMES

League Two has landed or retained a handful of highly-recognisable names ahead of the new term, including Ben Foster, David McGoldrick, and Jonny Williams.

Combined with other aspects - which I will mention shortly - the fourth tier is set to receive a fair amount of coverage next season, making the league a slightly more fashionable brand than last term.

Whether Town want to play those names early or wait and hope they drop out of form, there will be a few notable games to look forward to in 2023-24.

RETURNING NAMES

There are tens of people in League Two who can count Swindon Town on their list of former clubs - I should know, I've had to write stories about most of them while I wait for the club I actually cover to sign someone.

But in all seriousness, we all like to predict former player X is going to score or old manager Z will celebrate wildly when they beat us.

In the manager section for the coming campaign, we have Scott Lindsey, Ben Garner, and Luke Williams. As for players, the list goes on but does include the likes of Paul Mullin, Jonny Williams, Josh Davison, and Luke Norris.

Whenever Town take on an old face, let's hope it ends without me having to type the phrase "came back to haunt."

THE BIG W

I've avoided the subject long enough. Whether you like them or not, and whatever your reason for feeling that way, the two fixtures against Wrexham are sure to be up there on everyone's list of priorities at 9am on Thursday.

Funded by Hollywood stars, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the Red Dragons will be seen by everyone as the team to beat - a fact backed up by the bookmakers - and a victory over them will serve as a significant confidence boost to the teams which manage it.

Hopefully, Swindon face Wrexham twice on a Saturday, allowing as many Robins supporters as possible to enjoy one of few genuinely noteworthy fixtures.

LOCAL DERBY 

Newport County were Town's closest rivals in the season just gone, but thanks to Forest Green Rovers' relegation, the Gloucestershire outfit have taken over that role at just under 30 miles away.

Swindon have enjoyed their five trips to the New Lawn in recent years and will hope to continue their unbeaten streak next term. But even if Town lose, most of us will be back home in under an hour - so, every cloud and all that.

THE LONGEST TRIP

From the closest to the furthest away, Town haven't missed out on a trip to Cumbria just because Carlisle United were promoted out of League Two via the play-offs.

Barrow remain in the division and are Swindon's longest away day next term. The past two times Swindon have made the 500-mile round trip, it's been mid-December with horrible weather conditions. A game in the warmer months would be widely appreciated this time, I reckon.