Rafael Benitez hints at Newcastle United changes in EFL Cup

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has hinted that he will make changes to his side for Tuesday night's EFL Cup clash with Preston North End.

The Magpies host Preston in the first of two meetings between the sides in the space of four days, with the pair also coming up against each other at Deepdale in the league on Saturday.

It is a similar scenario to when Newcastle faced Wolverhampton Wanderers in the league and cup within a week of each other earlier in the season, but Benitez is hoping that a repeat of that does not happen, with Newcastle having lost the first meeting 2-0 on that occasion.

"It is a strange situation but we must focus on the first game," he told reporters.

"What happened against Wolves [in the league] meant we had to perform better in the second game [in the cup]. We have to do well in the first one this time.

"We are trying to work in a way where everybody is involved. If we change players you will see the difference in match fitness."

Newcastle are unbeaten since that defeat to Wolves and are currently on a five-match winning streak.