Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says the Carabao Cup is as important as ever to the club.
The Toon go to Manchester United for the fourth round tomorrow in a repeat of last season's final won by United.
Howe said: "It features right at the top because it's our next game. Our intention whenever we make a game plan is to win, no different for this match. Yes we are going to have to utilise our squad, we have games against Arsenal and Dortmund coming up, to not use our squad would be foolish, but that does not mean we do not back our squad to go to Old Trafford and try to win the game."
On memories of last year's final, he added: "More pride than disappointment, but you help but think of the final with the emotions of losing. The spectacle of the final, the supporters, the colours, that will all stand in my memory. It whet the appetite for us, we want this on a more regular basis. The challenge is now, can we?
"Our supporters do incredibly well when we travel, even when we are down on numbers. If our supporters can make it that kind of environment, we will try to stimulate them to get them into the game."
On playing his fringe players, Howe also said: "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."
