DARYL MURPHY and Achraf Lazaar pushed their first-team claims this afternoon as they helped Newcastle’s Under-23s team claim a 1-1 draw with West Brom.

With Rafael Benitez watching on from the sidelines at Newcastle’s Benton training ground, the duo were part of a second-string line-up that also featured former first teamer Massadio Haidara.

Benitez must now decide whether any of the trio are worth a spot in the squad for Newcastle’s weekend home game with Blackburn Rovers – when the Magpies can create history by claiming a tenth successive win in all competitions for the first time - or the EFL Cup quarter-final tie with Hull City a week tomorrow.

The Magpies manager has made a number of changes for Newcastle’s previous League Cup games, but must now decide whether to stick with that policy given his side are just two rounds away from a possible appearance at Wembley.

Murphy started the third-round win over Wolves, and scored Newcastle’s goal today before being replaced at half-time.

He is yet to make a single Championship appearance since moving to Tyneside in a £3m summer move from Ipswich, although his availability has been restricted by a succession of niggling injury issues.

"It’s been very frustrating because when I signed here I was fully fit and ready," said Murphy. "I played one game and then picked up an injury literally the next day.

"It has been very frustrating for me sitting in the stands and watching the lads do well. You want to be involved and help the team, but I’m on the comeback now so hopefully I can stay injury free.

"I have been ready for the last week, I have trained with the lads. I just needed a few minutes under my belt to get rid of a few of the cobwebs. I have not played for a while, but feel in good shape."

Lazaar’s sole Championship appearance came as a substitute in last month’s 3-1 win over Brentford, and the Moroccan played as both a left-back and left midfielder in this afternoon’s reserves game.

He swapped positions with Haidara at the interval, and the fact that neither player has made a league start this season underlines the depth of talent available to Benitez.

The two left-footers combined to set up Newcastle’s goal today, with Haidara receiving a return pass from Lazaar before crossing for Murphy to head home four minutes before the break.

Sean Longstaff had already hit the post for the Magpies at that stage, and after Murphy made way for Luke Charman at the interval, the hosts threatened again when Haidara’s second-half cross shaved the top of the crossbar.

Longstaff hit the post for a second time with 11 minutes left, but while Freddie Woodman saved from Zack Elbouzedi in the closing stages, he was powerless to prevent West Brom equalising from the penalty spot with five minutes left.

Callum Williams was penalised for a foul on Kane Wilson, and Jack Fitzwater converted the resultant spot-kick.

Newcastle: Woodman; Williams, Bailey, Findlay, Haidara; Barlaser, Hunter; Holmes (Ben El-Mhanni 57), Longstaff, Lazaar; Murphy (Charman 46).