RAFAEL BENITEZ will look to secure Newcastle United’s first semi-final appearance in more than a decade tonight but insists he is not prioritising cup glory over promotion to the Premier League.

It is almost half a century since Newcastle last won a cup competition so progressing to the last four of the EFL Cup and another step towards a Wembley showpiece would be fantastic for the club’s fans.

It would also present a couple of extra matches over two legs early in the New Year at a time when the Magpies will be trying to maintain the push for an automatic promotion place in the Championship.

Benitez made six changes to his team that lost to Blackburn on Saturday, ending a nine-match winning run, and he is expected to make a number of alterations to his starting line-up again at Hull City as they look to win the quarter-final.

But he said: “I think that everybody can see that a good run in the cup is good for the fans, and good for everyone. In the end it's so difficult that you have to try. We are trying to use the squad and present a strong team on the pitch.

"If we can go through, then we will keep going. But if I have one or two players with problems, I will not play them just because I want to be in the semi-final. I don't want to lose a player for one month when I need the player for every single game.

“You have to manage the squad. What we did well was to use a lot of players in different games; that means that we have a strong squad, we can change players and still do well. Sometimes, like Blackburn, it doesn't go well.

“But in the cup we will make changes and, if we can go through, I will be pleased. If we cannot go through, I will say that we were not strong enough to compete in both these competitions at the maximum level.

"After we will have the FA Cup and it will be the same approach. I will not say: 'I have to play the best team possible.' If I have to risk one or two players, it makes no sense.”

And Benitez, who revealed full-back Jesus Gamez could be out for six-eight weeks if he needs surgery on a suspected broken collar bone, just wants to succeed on every front – if his squad is up to it.

He added: "If I think that one player is under risk, or he could be out maybe because we push him too hard, then I will not do it.

"But at the same time I will tell you that, if we progress, it depends where we are in the league and I can manage, then if I have to take the risk with one players because we can be in the final and maybe win the final, I will do it.

"It's the situation, the balance. Against Blackburn I could change players and I was convinced we could win with those players. Now, I am convinced that we can win with these players at Hull.

"If we cannot, it is maybe because we are not strong enough to compete in both competitions with a very, very strong team.

"I will try and manage every game and see where we are. If we go to the semi-final or progress in the FA Cup, then it depends on how far you go as to how you decide if you have a chance to win a trophy.”

Newcastle will be up against a Hull City team struggling to climb clear of the relegation zone in the Premier League after swapping places with the Tyneside outfit in the summer.

Benitez said: “It's an opportunity to show our level. Hull is a Premier League club. They are playing well. They don't get the results, but they are doing well in terms of football. If we can compete and go through, maybe we are strong enough to compete in the league and the cups.”

Newcastle could be boosted by the fact there will only be a half full KCOM Stadium because Hull’s fans are disgruntled with how the club is being run so have not taken advantage of reduced ticket offers.

Hull’s hierarchy also refused to provide Newcastle, who have sold their initial 2,474 ten per cent allocation which EFL Cup rules demand, with more tickets, so it seems there may only be around 14,000 at the game tonight.

Benitez said: “I like to see full stadiums. We played against Maccabi Haifa in Europe with Liverpool (2006) and it was an empty stadium, we played in Holland. It was like a training session. When you have this kind of situation, it is quicker to shake hands with the fans than play.

“Football in the end is for the fans, and you have to create an atmosphere during the games. It is a pity. I am not criticising any one, it is not about our fans or Hull, it is just in general. I like to see the stadiums full of people.”