Rafa Benitez drops FA Cup selection hint at Newcastle as Luton fans snap up tickets
Benitez’s side take on the League Two club in a third-round tie at St James’s Park on Saturday.
United’s manager made nine changes for the club’s last FA Cup game – the 3-0 fourth-round defeat to Oxford United almost a year ago – and Benitez will again use his fringe players in the competition.
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Hide AdThe tie is followed by an important home league game against Swansea City on January 13.
Newcastle go into the Luton game on the back of a positive run of Premier League results over the festive period.
United climbed up to 13th place after their 1-0 win over Stoke City on New Year’s Day.
However, Benitez – whose side was knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Nottingham Forest in August – is approaching the FA Cup with caution.
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Hide AdAsked if the cup was a welcome distraction for him and his team, Benitez said: “Not really.
“We have two or three injuries, maybe they will need some time. We don’t have too many players.
“Playing two games in a few days, we needed to change players (against Stoke).
“To play more games is not ideal. OK, we have to do it and we will do it.”
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Hide AdBenitez is without Aleksandar Mitrovic (back), Florian Lejeune (foot) and Jesus Gamez (ankle).
A number of other players have been carrying knocks through the festive programme.
Meanwhile, Luton – who beat Lincoln City 4-2 on Monday – have been given a huge 7,853-ticket allocation for the game. They expect to sell all their tickets.
The club is four points clear at the top of the League Two table.
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Hide AdLuton manager Nathan Jones took over at Kenilworth Road two years ago.
“It’s not a bad place to celebrate your second anniversary, going to St James’s Park and pitting your wits against Rafa,” said Jones.