RAFA HAS TO PLAY LIGHTER TOON

RAFA BENITEZ is ready to send out a weakened team tonight – after claiming he does not have the resources for Newcastle United to seriously attack the competition.

Newcastle head to Nottingham Forest for a tie sandwiched between Premier League dates with Chelsea and Manchester City.

And Benitez insists he has little choice but to field youngsters, such as Jamie Sterry (right) and Sean Longstaff, and rest some key men.

“You have to manage your squad,” said Benitez. “Depending on the transfer window, your squad is stronger or not.

“We can win with the players we put on the pitch, but we can’t lie to the fans and pretend this is the most important game of the season.”