Predicted Newcastle XI vs Morecambe: £12m Benitez signing starts, makeshift back four

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The EFL Cup represents Newcastle’s most likely routine to silverware this season.

Steve Bruce’s side continue their campaign in the competition with a trip to face League Two outfit Morecambe tonight.

It is expected to be a much-changed Magpies outfit, similar to the one which dispatched of Blackburn at home in the previous round.

The potential changes centre around Allan Saint-Maximin’s fitness.

The Frenchman won’t play here – and in truth probably wouldn’t have anyway even without the injury he picked up against Brighton on Sunday.

But it raises the prospect that Ryan Fraser might be needed to replace him for the game against Tottenham this weekend.

Fraser started and scored against Blackburn, but if he is in line for a Premier League start at Spurs, Bruce might not risk him here.

We’ve got Jacob Murphy, who was signed for £12 million (Sky Sports) by Rafa Benitez in here.

Murphy came off the bench to replace Fraser in that Blackburn win and he’s our only starting change from the side that saw off Tony Mowbray’s men here.

A makeshift back four may offer Morecambe some hope, with Emil Krafth at centre half.

That said, that backline kept a clean sheet against Championship opponents so Bruce will be hopeful they can keep Morecambe quiet.

Joelinton should get another chance to get a morale-boosting goal up front, and we’ve got Dan Barlaser in on the basis he spoke to the press about the match – despite the Chronicle reporting he could return on loan to Rotherham.