Three Newcastle players who deserve to start against Luton Town

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The third round of the FA Cup kicks off this weekend with Newcastle United hosting Luton Town.

Newcastle United will be hoping to end their 63-year wait for a FA Cup triumph when they begin their 2018 campaign at home to Luton Town.

The Magpies have a poor recent record in the competition and Rafael Benitez, who won it with Liverpool in 2006, will be hoping for a strong showing in this year’s competition.

Given Newcastle’s current predicament in the league, Benitez is likely to make a few changes and freshen up the team, and here are three fringe players who deserve the opportunity to play against the Hatters:

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Aleksandar Mitrovic is clearly not part of Benitez’s plans at Newcastle. The 23-year-old has featured just seven times this season but does have two goals to his name. His last appearance came nearly a month ago and an exit could be on the cards for him this month.

Mitrovic will need to play more games if he is to make Serbia’s World Cup squad this summer, even if a cameo against Luton is to showcase his talents for other clubs. Benitez should at least consider rotating his forwards as ultimately his priority is to keep Newcastle in the Premier League

Freddie Woodman

Newcastle have not settled on a number one keeper this season having rotated between Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow. 20-year-old Freddie Woodman is yet to make his debut for the Toon Army, he has had loan spells at Hartlepool United, Crawley Town and Kilmarnock.

It would be a nice game for the England Under-20 World Cup winner to make his debut against the League Two leaders and put the pressure on Elliot and Darlow.

Rolando Aarons

Rolando Aarons has struggled for game time this season. The 22-year-old returned from an Achilles injury in the summer but has been on the fringes of Rafael Benitez’s squad and has only appeared five times.

Aarons is quick, creative and has very good technical ability. He is also someone who has not done too much wrong. He scored in his last cup outing back in September against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup and will be hoping for more of the same this weekend.