Newcastle won’t go easy on Northampton

Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren has vowed to field the strongest team he can as he bids to end Newcastle’s 46-year trophy drought against Northampton in the Capital One Cup second round tonight.

The Magpies have made no secret in recent years they regarded the domestic cup competitions — the club has won neither in 60 years — as a secondary priority to the Premier League, although owner Mike Ashley signalled a change in policy.

Asked what approach he is taking to the Capital One Cup, McClaren said: “Very serious. It can be a great boost for you. It’s another game and nobody in football wants to lose a match and they put a team out that can win that game, and that’s what we will be doing.”