United are likely to be without the services of Jamaal Lascelles, Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie and Javier Manquillo when they head to the City Ground for the midweek second round clash with Aitor Karanka’s Championship side.
And Benítez says that the quartet’s anticipated absence could provide some of the Magpies’ younger players with an opportunity as Newcastle look to book their place in the third round of the competition
“Manquillo, Jamaal and Jonjo still have the same problems, and Ritchie has a knock on his knee so that could be another problem,” he said. “We have to assess all of them, but we have three or four problems and that means maybe it will give a chance to some young players.”
Benítez added: “Normally, you approach the game changing players because you have to give chances to other players, to use your squad – you cannot think that you can carry on with the same players and keep everybody happy if they don’t have a chance to play. You have to change players, and maybe they will do the same.
“But the motivation of the team that is in another division is always higher than the motivation of the one (in the top division). Even if you can push your players, if you are not in the semi-final or the final, it is always difficult.
“Some players need to show something in these games and they go and approach it with a very good motivation, but it depends how things are going on. Still we will try to win the game with the players that we have.”
United were beaten by Forest at same stage of last season’s Carabao Cup, with the two-time European Cup winners triumphing 3-2 at St. James’ Park.
And Benítez knows his team will be in for a stern examination at the hands of Karanka’s men, who are unbeaten in the Championship so far.
“They have a good team and Aitor Karanka, the manager – I know him, and he’s a good manager with good players and it’s a massive club, so it will be an important game and a great atmosphere. Hopefully we can do well.”
The Magpies manager was optimistic about the recovery of captain Lascelles, who missed Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea with an ankle injury.
But Benítez is hopeful the skipper may be back in action in time for this Saturday’s trip to Premier League champions Manchester City.
“The doctor is much better than me at these things. He is waiting for a scan. He is having the scan and then we will see,” he said.
“He is complaining but we are expecting for Manquillo and for him maybe to be available for this weekend. But it is too soon – we have to wait for the scan. I don’t think that will be a big issue, but he is complaining about some pain there and we want to be sure that it is fine.”
