Steve Bruce names two Newcastle United players who will start Carabao Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers

The winger, signed last week as a free agent following his departure from Bournemouth, hasn’t played a competitive game since March.

Fraser – who didn’t sign a contract extension enabling him to play in the Premier League’s summer restart – was an unused substitute against West Ham United on Saturday. However, the 26-year-old will start tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup tie at St James’s Park along with defender Ciaran Clark, who had ankle surgery earlier this year.

Head coach Bruce said: “Well, we'll make wholesale changes – I'm not going to deny that – but I believe that's the best way forward. I would be ridiculous if didn't with the squad of players we've got.

“Some need the game, some are itching to play. Ryan Fraser will make his debut, and Ciaran Clark – who hasn't played for a long, long time – will play, so there are some players who need a game.

“But the squad is big enough now to make those changes, and let's hope we ca get through to the next round.”

Bruce added: “We'll still take it seriously, but the competition this year is condensed by seven weeks, so we’re going to play a lot more games. But, look, I’ve got a squad now.

“I had seven behind me on Saturday who all probably played in the team last year, or would have got in the team, so I've got a squad of players now.”