RAFAEL BENITEZ admits tonight’s Carabao Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest exposed the shortcomings in Newcastle United, but remains unable to offer any guarantees that the situation will change in the final week of the transfer window.

The Magpies crashed out of the League Cup at the second-round stage after Tyler Walker’s extra-time winner condemned them to a 3-2 defeat.

Newcastle scored first-half goals through Aleksandar Mitrovic and Rolando Aarons, but two goals in the space of three minutes from Forest striker Jason Cummings ensured the game finished level at the end of normal time.

All three of Forest’s goals could be attributed to Newcastle mistakes, with a patched-up defence featuring Grant Hanley, Jesus Gamez and Jamie Sterry creaking repeatedly.

Henri Saivet also made a surprise appearance despite having been made available for sale at the start of the summer, and while Benitez defended his decision to make ten changes despite tonight’s game being Newcastle’s only midweek outing in the whole of this month, he accepts the result underlines the weakness of the resources at his disposal.

“If you are going to go through in the cups, you have to use your squad,” said Benitez, whose side have now lost their opening three games of the season. “If you cannot do that, it means you have to improve. It has proved that we have to improve in some areas.

“I made the changes because we played two days ago (sic). The players have to be ready to play in the cup against a Championship team. If you cannot, then it means that something is wrong. I thought we could do, and watching the number of chances we had, I think we deserved to go through.”

Benitez is clearly desperate to make further alterations to his squad before the transfer window closes next Thursday night, but while Newcastle remain close to completing a loan deal for Chelsea midfielder Kenedy, their ability to make further moves in the market remains dependent on moving some players out of St James’ Park.

A number of those deemed surplus to requirements were involved last night, and it remains to be seen whether the performance of Hanley, Saivet and Achraf Lazaar in particular has made them more or less desirable to potential suitors.

Two players are close to completing moves away from Tyneside, with Siem de Jong in advanced talks with Ajax over a permanent departure and Emmanuel Riviere close to completing a return to France with Ligue 1 side Metz.

That would help create some room on the squad list for replacements, not to mention a much-needed reduction to the wage bill, but Benitez would ideally like to see up to six or seven players head through the exit door in the next few days.

“We have a couple of players in conversation with different clubs, but officially today, there is still nothing,” said the Newcastle boss. “He (de Jong) is one of the players who is talking with another club.”

The defeat meant Newcastle crashed out of the League Cup at the second-round stage for the first time in more than two-and-a-half decades, but while they were beaten by opponents from the league below them, Benitez still felt it was possible to take positives from his side’s performance.

Newcastle created plenty of chances, particularly in the second half of normal time, but Jacob Murphy twice blazed over when well positioned and Mo Diame failed to find the target with two headers when well positioned from set-pieces.

“There were positives,” said Benitez. “Rolando’s performance, some play from Murphy, the work rate of Saivet and Mitrovic. A lot of players were trying, and you have to take that as a positive. But if you are better in the box, that can make the difference.”

Aarons was Newcastle’s best player, but the winger left the field in considerable discomfort as he was substituted in the 76th minute. However, Benitez revealed he was simply suffering from cramp and should be available for Saturday’s Premier League home game with West Ham United.