Injury-hit Newcastle must 'roll with the punches' ahead of Man United League Cup clash

The strength in depth of Newcastle United's squad will be put to the test when they take on Manchester United in the League Cup fourth round on Wednesday.

Newcastle are now having to settle into a regular pattern of three games a week as they attempt to juggle domestic competitions with taking part in a first Champions League campaign for two decades.

Last week saw them take on Crystal Palace, Borussia Dortmund and Wolves in the space of seven days, before tackling Erik ten Hag's United and then Arsenal at St James' Park on Saturday. “That's our season, especially until Christmas,” Magpies manager Eddie Howe told reporters on Tuesday. “It's a busy period with a lot of games.”

Injuries are already taking their toll with defender Sven Botman, wingers Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy, plus striker Alexander Isak all currently out of action. They were also hit with a 10-month ban to star midfield signing Sandro Tonali last week for breaching betting rules while at former club AC Milan.

The absentees means Howe will name a much-changed side for the fourth-round tie at Old Trafford against the team that beat them in last year's final.

“It shows how football can change very quickly, you can have a game where you lose one or two players and the dynamic of the squad changes,” Howe said. “You have to roll with the punches.

“It is not ideal for us, especially with the season we have, we could absorb those punches with the week to week games – we are not in that position now. We are going to need everyone in the squad to step up, give a bit more. I said that pre-campaign, everyone has a role to play.

“When you're not playing, we have players who are frustrated, everyone wants to be on that starting team sheet. Players have to make me