Newcastle United visit the South Coast this evening to take on Southampton in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash.
It’s the first time since 1976 that the Magpies have reached this stage of the competition but Eddie Howe is determined to go one step further.
“Yeah, we’re delighted to be where were are but the semi-final itself isn’t enough,” Howe said. “I don’t think it’s enough for anybody
“To say you got to a semi-final means nothing. You want to get one step further. I know the players feel the same way.
“Me and my coaching team feel passionate about it, that we want to make the final but we have to navigate these two games and they are going to be very difficult.”
With United handed a free weekend in between both legs, Howe is set to name a full-strength starting XI.
Southampton, meanwhile, face Blackpool in the FA Cup on Saturday as manager Nathan Jones looks to get a couple of players back from injury.
Here’s a list of players from both teams who could miss tonight’s encounter through injury:
“Yeah, we’re delighted to be where were are but the semi-final itself isn’t enough,” Howe said. “I don’t think it’s enough for anybody
5. Valentino Livramento - out
The 20-year-old has been sidelined since April after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.
6. Jonjo Shelvey - out
Shelvey is sidelined with a calf injury and isn’t expected to return until next month.
7. Matt Targett - out
Targett is out with a heel injury and like Shelvey, won’t return until February.
8. Emil Krafth - out
Krafth is recovering from an ACL injury and is unlikely to play again this season.