RAFA BENITEZ insists Newcastle United will be looking to progress in the Carabao Cup, even if he has stressed he will not “lie” to the fans about his selection plans for the competition.

The Magpies head to Nottingham Forest in the second round tomorrow night with Benitez making no secret of his plan to ring the changes at the City Ground.

Newcastle’s primary goal this season is to stay in the Premier League and Benitez does not feel he can gamble on certain players’ fitness ahead of Saturday’s trip to Manchester City.

“We can win with the players we put on the pitch, but we cannot lie to our fans though and pretend this is the most important game of the season,” said Benitez.

“We want to win, if we can win we will try but we will make changes because we have to. We want to progress but it has to be this way. I hope that the players we put out can win the match.

“It’s good for the spirit to have a cup run, but you have to find the balance. To change seven players and keeping winning, only the top sides can do that. That is why they tend to be in the final. How many times are smaller teams in the final? Not too many.”

Newcastle will still be without Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey who missed Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea. There could be outings for young players such as Jamie Sterry and Sean Longstaff.

Benitez, who again defended his decision to set up defensively against Chelsea, said: “This year people can talk, say what you want, the transfer window always has an impact on tactics.

“The team we have is doing well. I am not happy because we haven’t got the points we deserved but we are in a good position in terms of confidence and the way we work.

“Last year January was crucial for us, some additions, maybe this year will be the same. We have to be patient and we have to keep working. To improve the team you have to spend more money, we cannot do that, so we have to keep working with what we have.”