United travel to Ewood Park (7.45pm kick-off) hoping to book their place in the next round of the competition but, with a number of his charges still nursing injuries, Benítez may elect to make changes for the tie with the Championship outfit.
And the Magpies manager feels there is a balance to be struck between fielding a capable team and resting some of his players, with the Premier League visit of Cardiff City on Saturday also coming into focus.
“I have the same idea that I had before. We need to find the balance between a team that we think is strong enough to beat Blackburn and, at the same time, protect some players,” he said. “We have players who are injured, we have knocks and little problems, but we have to find this balance.
“We have this game, it’s the most important for us, and we will try to do well and try to win with the players we have available. Hopefully it will be enough, and after we have to concentrate on Cardiff.”
Benítez confirmed that a handful of his first team regulars – who all missed the weekend’s defeat at Chelsea – would also have to sit out Tuesday’s trip to Lancashire.
“More or less, (we have) the same problems that we have in terms of injuries. (Jonjo) Shelvey is not available, (Paul) Dummett is not available, (Mo) Diamé is not available,” he said.
“(Karl) Darlow has had some problems, so we will try to find the balance with the players – some of them played the other day, and players who can give us fresh legs.”
United are winless in their last six outings, and Benítez is mindful of the boost his side would receive should they knock out Rovers.
And the Spaniard also reiterated his desire for unity, as his side approach a crucial stage of the campaign.
“We know that it’s important to win, for the confidence and the morale. We have to approach the game thinking about that, and carry on,” he said.
“My message was clear before and it’s clear now – we have to keep going and keep going, because it’s a long, long season. We have so many games, and especially Cardiff is a massive game.
“But after Cardiff, in January we have (Manchester) City and then after Tottenham, and we will have Huddersfield, Burnley, Crystal Palace. All these games, we can compete against these teams and we can win these games.”
