OPINION
Playing in the FA Cup often gives Premier League managers the chance to field some of their fringe players – and that will no doubt be the case with Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez.
The Magpies take on Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers in the third round on Saturday evening, and the Spaniard is expected to make several changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Manchester United in the week.
One of those changes could come in the shape of fringe winger Jacob Murphy, who has made eight top-flight outings this season, largely from the bench.
Murphy is normally down the pecking order for a place on the right wing due to the consistency of the likes of Matt Ritchie, who has appeared 19 times this season.
However, with the 23-year-old likely to make the starting XI for this FA Cup clash, he must play out of his skin to convince Benitez that he is worthy of a more regular first team role in the Premier League.
He did not even make the bench against the Red Devils in mid-week, so performing well – if given the chance – is of the most paramount importance for the youngster.
If he does not play to a high standard, then the manager will just relegate him to the sidelines once again.
This is the ideal opportunity to save his career at Newcastle, and if he is given it, he must grasp if firmly with both hands.
Benitez even admitted himself that some of Newcastle’s fringe players have to see this match as their chance to shine.
“Some of the players have to see this as their opportunity,” he said, as quoted by the Chronicle.
A chance like this may not present itself again this season if Newcastle fail to make it to the fourth round of the competition – so a start for the £25,000-a-week [Spotrac] flyer is essentially make-or-break