Howe targeting "another good run" ahead of Carabao Cup defence | OneFootball

The Magpies host the Bantams, who currently occupy top spot in League One, at St. James' Park (kick-off 7:45pm BST) and head into the cup contest as holders after a historic 2-1 win against Liverpool in last season's final at Wembley Stadium.

After ending the club's 70-year wait for a domestic trophy last term, Howe is hopeful of replicating another memorable passage in the competition and admitted he could reshuffle his pack once more after making seven changes during last weekend's Premier League stalemate against AFC Bournemouth.

Here are some of the Magpies boss' main talking points from Tuesday morning's pre-match media briefing at the Newcastle United Media Centre...

On squad rotation:

"There'll be an element of rotation again. The guys that have played three games last week we might look to give them a rest.

"We want to pick a strong team and we want to try and progress so I have to get the balance right. You don't want players to lose rhythm - that's really important."

On the Carabao Cup:

"The experiences we've been through in the competition, not just last year but two seasons ago, were memorable to say the least. They're some of my strongest memories.

"The whole experience of the competition is a great one and because you go into it early in the season, it has a freshness to it. We're up against tough opponents. They're doing very well in their league, are on a strong winning run and have beaten two Championship teams [Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City] to get to this point."

On entering the competition as cup holders:

"It's got a nice feel about it. It's something we acknowledge and we want to respect that by trying to do our best to go on another good run.

"As we found last year, the early rounds are very difficult. We played Wimbledon, a 1-0 win, and it was a tough game. It was the same two years ago when we squeezed through against Tranmere and we fully respect every opponent.

"You just try to find a way through and we'll be trying to do."

On scoring goals:

"It's up to everybody to chip in with goals. Historically, we've done that really well. Our defenders have been regular goalscorers, either from set plays or open play. We're looking at sources of goals from everywhere and we can't be reliant on any one department.

"The creativity of the team in the midfield and the wide areas has been really strong for us and our full-backs have been some of our best attackers in recent seasons and that has to be the case again."

On Nick Woltemade:

"I thought overall he had a decent game. Some of his link play in the build-up was really good. He was a focal point that we needed and enabled us to get higher up the pitch.

"As a team, we didn't function particularly well in the attacking half. There's no denying that, we weren't creating chances for him. "As a centre-forward, you are reliant on that service and we didn't provide him with enough. We have to take responsibility for that and try to work to put that right but I see no reason why we won't score goals."

On Yoane Wissa, with the DR Congo international currently sidelined with a knee injury:

"He's receiving treatment and no operation is needed. I think we're looking at the other side of the international break. We hope he can be fit and available for that first game."