STEVE BRUCE intends to actively target the Carabao Cup after Newcastle United booked a fourth-round place in the competition with their biggest win since the turn of the century at Morecambe last night.

The Magpies cruised to a 7-0 victory over their League Two opponents, a scoreline that represented their biggest success since Sir Bobby Robson’s side scored eight goals against Sheffield Wednesday in 1999.

It was Newcastle’s biggest ever win in a competitive away fixture – they have only scored more in home games or matches at a neutral venue – and came courtesy of two goals from Joelinton, further strikers from Miguel Almiron, Jacob Murphy, Isaac Hayden, Jamaal Lascelles and a late own goal from Sam Lavelle.

The win has set up a fourth-round tie at Newport County next week, meaning Newcastle only need to beat another side from League Two to reach the quarter-finals. Beyond that, who knows what might be possible, with a number of top-flight clubs due to meet each other in round four?

“It’s a chance, of course it is,” said Bruce. “I’ve had the same attitude ever since I walked through the door – let’s have a real go at this. Let’s have a real crack.

“We’ve got a squad now which is certainly capable. Of course, we got to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last season and came unstuck against Man City, but let’s get ourselves a crack at this. Why not? We are capable of winning five or six games. If the draw is kind to you, who knows? Let’s have a go.”

While Newcastle started as strong favourites against a Morecambe side that had shipped five goals at home in League Two last weekend, Bruce was nevertheless delighted with his players’ attitude and professionalism from the first minute last night.

The Newcastle boss made nine changes to the side that started Sunday’s disappointing home defeat to Brighton, and a number of his fringe players caught the eye.

Joelinton opened the scoring in the fifth minute and went on to score again before the interval, Jacob Murphy caused problems down the right-hand side all game and Miguel Almiron was a creative threat throughout as he pushed his claims for a starting spot at Tottenham on Sunday. Ultimately, though, it was the collective approach of his players that most pleased Bruce.

“It was the response from the weekend and the attitude on the night,” said the Newcastle boss, when asked what had given him most satisfaction. “It was an awful night, with nobody here, and if we hadn’t done things properly, we could easily have had a difficult night.

“We’ve all experienced those nights, especially at a club like ours, so it was nice to get the job done in the way they went about it. Some of the football, particularly in the first half-an-hour, was terrific.”

Murphy impressed throughout the first half, setting up Almiron’s goal with a slide-rule through ball before cutting in off the right flank to unleash a fine curled effort that found the bottom corner.

The winger spent last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, and has been linked with a series of loan moves back to the Championship in the last few weeks.

Wednesday have made a number of attempts to take him back to Hillsborough, but while Bruce accepts he will have to trim his squad before the transfer window closes on October 5, he has revealed he will not be allowing Murphy to leave.

“I won’t be letting him out,” said Bruce. “After that kind of performance, I definitely won’t be letting him go. He deserves to stay with us. He’s improved enormously, and I’ve been very pleased with him, even though he hasn’t made the squad for the weekend. We’ve got a lot of players to choose from, but at this particular moment, I won’t be letting Jacob go.

“He’s had a really good pre-season, and showed a great attitude towards it. He’s benefited from being out on loan, and had a really good loan last year at Sheffield Wednesday, who think really highly of him.

“He’s a good young player, who’s direct and quick, and he’s grasped his chance and really given us food for thought. Arguably, he was our best player tonight, so fair play to him for that.”