The strength in depth of Newcastle United's squad will be put to the test when they take on Manchester United in the League Cup fourth round on Wednesday.
Newcastle are now having to settle into a regular pattern of three games a week as they attempt to juggle domestic competitions with taking part in a first Champions League campaign for two decades.
Last week saw them take on Crystal Palace, Borussia Dortmund and Wolves in the space of seven days, before tackling Erik ten Hag's United and then Arsenal at St James' Park on Saturday. “That's our season, especially until Christmas,” Magpies manager Eddie Howe told reporters on Tuesday. “It's a busy period with a lot of games.”
Injuries are already taking their toll with defender Sven Botman, wingers Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy, plus striker Alexander Isak all currently out of action. They were also hit with a 10-month ban to star midfield signing Sandro Tonali last week for breaching betting rules while at former club AC Milan.
The absentees means Howe will name a much-changed side for the fourth-round tie at Old Trafford against the team that beat them in last year's final.
“It shows how football can change very quickly, you can have a game where you lose one or two players and the dynamic of the squad changes,” Howe said. “You have to roll with the punches.
“It is not ideal for us, especially with the season we have, we could absorb those punches with the week to week games – we are not in that position now. We are going to need everyone in the squad to step up, give a bit more. I said that pre-campaign, everyone has a role to play.
“When you're not playing, we have players who are frustrated, everyone wants to be on that starting team sheet. Players have to make me doubt my next team sheet, and wonder what the next selection will be. They have to train well, I see that every day, but these are big opportunities when we do rotate the team.”
Wolves 2 Newcastle 2: Player ratings
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WOLVES RATINGS: Claimed he had been impeded ahead of Newcastle’s opener but was handling error by Portuguese rather than any foul. Got solid hand to Wilson’s penalty but couldn’t keep it out. AP -
Lacking in pace nowadays but certainly not heart. Experienced defender was immense at back for Wolves and relished his battle with Wilson. PA -
Brave effort from Wolves captain who played on with heavily strapped left knee and kept making important blocks and tackles including one in last five minutes to take ball off toes of Wilson. PA -
Blocked Wilson’s effort after Sa dropped ball only for Newcastle striker to volley in at second attempt. Solid performance overall from Portuguese defender who played important role in Wolves' second. AP -
Back in team after suspension. Made one excellent covering tackle just after break as Wilson threatened to get through on goal and complete his hat-trick. Helped keep Gordon quiet and under control. AFP -
Nice piece of skill to turn past Trippier after 10 minutes and repeated trick in second half. Booked for kicking ball away in last 10 minutes. AP -
Another who missed lasty week’s win at Bournemouth due to suspension. Fine diving header after out-muscling Trippier to level scores with what was his first goal for Wolves. Reuters -
One very weak strike in first half when Guimaraes and Joelinton dominated midfield. Minimal impact in game and hooked early on second half. AFP -
Key player for Wolves this season and had shot turned bar by Pope in 35th minute. Earned seventh assist of season with cross for Lemina’s goal. Huge blow for Wolves when pulled up with hamstring injury as he went on surging run just after Wolves made it 2-2. Taken off pitch on stretcher. PA -
Can count himself unlucky to give away penalty after minimal contact on Schar just before break. Grabbed deserved leveller after skinning Burn and finishing well for fifth goal of season. AFP -
Had chance to open scoring but drilled weak shot straight at Pope after 20 minutes. Superb run and strike just before half-hour mark needed good save from Pope. Reuters -
SUBS: (On for Traore 54’) Midfielder on loan from Manchester City certaionly not short of confidence, demanding the ball from moment he came on. Whipped in one wicked free-kick soon that Newcastle scrambled away. Reuters -
(On for Neto 78’) PA -
(On for Lemina 86’) AFP -
NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Nice one-handed stop to deny Cunha and turned Neto strike over bar in first half. Left helpless by Neto’s excellent cross ahead of Lemina’s goal. Punched away when easy catch was on that would lead to Wolves’ second. Getty Images -
Awful first half from England full-back. Skinned by both Ait-Nouri and Cunha, gave away possession on a number of occasions with loose passes, beaten to ball as Lemina headed Wolves level. Not much better after break when he picked up booking. Reuters -
Enjoying a run in team with Sven Botman out injured and had been solid until Wolves piled on pressure in second half and looked less convincing especially up against pace. Took one for team when he hauled down Hwang shortly before Wolves scored second. Getty -
One beautifully timed sliding tackle on dangerman Neto before coming away from but allowed same player to cut in and get in strike on goal later in first half. Went down with little contact to earn Magpies penalty. Headed chance wide in 80th minute when should have at least hit target. PA -
Testing night for giant defender who was regularly tested by Neto’s quality. Picked up second-half booking and was then left on backside as Hwang made it 2-2. Fair to say life was made easier when Neto went off injured. Reuters -
Sent low shot just wide of target from acute angle with game’s first real chance in seventh minute. Had another shot blocked later in half. Much improved on poor midweek show against Borussia Dortmund when he struggled. Booked for dissent late on. Reuters -
Newcastle’s driving force, taking firm grip on midfield battle from start, skipping past Wolves’ challenges and spraying passes around to teammates. Not as an impressive in second when he looked frustrated and a booking waiting to happen at times. Getty Images -
A real physical presence in midfield for Newcastle although better in first ahlf than second. One superb interception and surging run forward before seeing weak shot saved by Sa on edge of half-time. PA -
Supplied cross into box that Sa spilled and led to Wilson scoring but unusually quiet day from winger who has been flying for Magpies of late but looked tired. Reuters -
Quiet game by Paraguayan’s standards in terms of attacking threat until 10 minutes after break when he flashed superb ball across six-yard box and was crying out for touch. AFP -
Opened scoring in 22nd minute with acrobatic volley after seeing initial shot blocked for sixth goal of season. Relieved to see penalty dribble over line and put Newcastle back in front after Sa got hand to ball but could not keep it out. Sniffed around for hat-trick but chance never came. AFP -
SUBS: (On for Almiron 72’) Still building up his match fitness after long time out injured. PA
Newcastle are enjoying a good run of performances with last week's home defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League their only loss in 10 games across competitions.
Sunday saw them take the lead twice against Wolves before eventually having to settle for a point after an entertaining 2-2 draw at Molineux that leaves them sixth in the Premier League.
Their opponents on Wednesday, meanwhile, go into the game on the back of a dispiriting 3-0 Manchester derby defeat against City at Old Trafford which also saw Ten Hag's decision to substitute young striker Rasmus Hojlund in the second half met with loud jeers by home fans.
The Red Devils have now lost half of their Premier League games this season, their most defeats from the opening 10 games of a league campaign since 1986/87.
But Howe, who made 10 changes to his starting XI when they knocked out treble-winning City in the previous round, insists Newcastle must be wary of a United side looking to bounce back from their derby disaster.
“I'm probably better off telling you that after the game,” added Howe when asked whether they were facing United at a good time. “Man United are a top team with top players; they will possibly rotate their squad, but I think one of the key tests of any team is how you respond to setbacks.
“We had one of those against Borussia Dortmund, and had a good response against Wolves.”
