OPINION
Newcastle United will no doubt be wanting to bounce back from their defeat to Manchester United at the weekend with a win over Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday.
The Magpies are aiming to progress to the fourth round of the competition with a victory over their Championship opponents, who currently sit in 15th place in the second tier of English football.
Blackburn are a team that they must not take too lightly – after all, Newcastle lost out to Nottingham Forest in the initial stages of the Carabao Cup earlier on in the season.
Rafa Benitez must rotate his squad in order to give some of the other players a run-out, without compromising on the quality of the starting XI – and in order to do that, he must make six changes to the side that lost at St James’ Park on Wednesday.
The first change must come in between the sticks, with Martin Dubravka making way for second choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow in order to give the first teamer a rest.
The next two changes must come in the defence, with Paul Dummett dropping out in favour of Javier Manquillo – who is on £35,000-a-week [Spotrac] – in the left-back role.
Benitez has previously admitted to the Shields Gazette that Florian Lejeune could make his comeback against Blackburn, so the Frenchman must start in the place of Jamaal Lascelles for this clash if he is deemed fit enough.
Jonjo Shelvey must be the fourth change to the starting XI after coming on as a substitute against the Red Devils, and he should play in the central midfield alongside Isaac Hayden and Kenedy.
Matt Ritchie must be rewarded for his consistency by retaining his preferred role on the left-wing, which means the fifth change must come in the shape of Jacob Murphy – who has eight appearances to his name this season – on the right.
Salomon Rondon has been one of Newcastle’s stars this season, but the sixth and final change must see him dropped to the bench in favour of Joselu, in order to ensure that he is fit and ready for their next Premier League game against Chelsea the following weekend.
If Benitez makes the right calls regarding the starting XI on Saturday, then his team would blitz Blackburn out of the competition.
