Rafa Benitez’s side went through after beating Cheltenham Town 2-0 on Tuesday night at St James’s Park.
Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle (L) and Ayoze Perez after sustaining injuries to the head
Newcastle United comfortably dispatched Cheltenham Town in their 2-0 in the second round of the League Cup, but the victory may have come at a cost for Rafa Benitez’s Magpies squad.
A brace from Spanish striker Ayoze Perez ensured the North-East giants would be in the pot for the next round, but it was a match that saw returning striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, leading scorer Dwight Gayle and Rolando Aarons all substituted because of injury, while even Perez was sporting a bandage around his head at 90 minutes.
Newcastle United’s Ayoze Perez celebrates with team mates after scoring their first goal
Benitez has been eager to reinforce the Newcastle squad this summer, and it certainly looks to be coming together as his side recorded their third straight win as they dominated their League Two opponents in possession.
Perez scored differing goals either side of half time, the first a sumptuous curling effort just before the break. He slotted home again just after the restart after Gayle, on for Mitrovic, laid it off following a poor back pass.
The former Crystal Palace man would go off, like Mitrovic, with concussion, and though Benitez would later say his two centre forwards shouldn’t be out for long, the same can’t be said for winger Aarons, who left the stadium with his foot in a protective boot.
Below is a selection of pictures from the fixture:
Cheltenham Town’s James Dayton in action with Newcastle United’s Mohamed Diame (L) and Jamaal Lascelles
Newcastle United’s Aleksandar Mitrovic receives medical treatment and is later substituted after sustaining a injury
Newcastle United’s Aleksandar Mitrovic looks dejected after being substituted
Newcastle United’s Ayoze Perez receives medical treatment after sustaining a injury
Newcastle United’s Ayoze Perez celebrates with team mates after scoring their first goal
Newcastle United’s Ayoze Perez celebrates after scoring their second goal
Newcastle United’s Ayoze Perez celebrates with team mates after he scoring their second goal
Newcastle United’s Ayoze Perez (L) in action with Cheltenham Town’s James Dayton
Cheltenham Town’s Danny Wright (L) in action with Newcastle United’s Jamaal Lascelles
Newcastle United’s Rolando Aarons is down injured before being substituted off
Cheltenham Town’s Danny Wright (L) in action with Newcastle United’s Grant Hanley
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez shakes the hand of Cheltenham Town manager Gary Johnson after the game
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