Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says they're proud to open their League Cup defence on Wednesday. The cup holders host Bradford City at St James' Park, with Howe admitting he will rotate his starting XI.
He said this morning: "I always enjoy the games and always enjoy preparing the games. The matches is what we are here for. We embrace every competition we are in and the EFL Cup is a competition that we love so we are desperate to do well again.
"There will be an element of rotation. The guys that have played three games last week, we might look to give them a rest but we want to pick a strong team and want to progress so we have to get the balance right.
"We also don't want players to lose rhythm so that is really important too."
Bradford progressing under Alexander
On facing the Bantams in tomorrow's third round, Howe said: "The experiences that we have been through in the competition and not just last year, two seasons ago, were memorable to say the least. They are some of my strongest memories of success. The semi-finals, the whole experience of the competition - I think it's a great one.
"I think because you are going into it early in the season as well, it has a freshness to it, but we are up against tough opponents, they are doing very well in their league, and they are on a strong winning run. They have beaten two Championship teams to get to this point so full credit to them and Graham Alexander.
"He is someone I know well having managed him myself, and it is great to see him going into management in the way that he has done. He is very experienced and has over 500 games under his belt and he is doing very well.
"Knowing him as I do, I know he will have done his work on us as well so I think you can expect two very well organised teams.
"They have got clear strengths, they are playing with confidence and they are physically a very good team. Anyone who is winning games regularly and top of their league will be a threat so we will pick a strong team."
On being Cup holders, he also stated: "It is nice, it has got a nice feel about it. It is something that 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 and it was a very difficult game, a 1-0 win and it was the same two years before. We squeezed through against Tranmere - they are tough games.
"We fully respect every opponent and these early rounds are so important that you just try and find a way to get through."
Don't compare Woltemade with Isak
Asked about comparisons between Nick Woltemade and former centre-forward Alexander Isak, Howe insists that would be unfair.
He said: "I don't think any comparison to Alex is favourable to any player because I wouldn't do that in other positions. Every player is unique in their own right and Nick is certainly that.
"I thought overall he had a decent game (against Bournemouth) and I think some of his link-play and build-up was really good. He was a focal point in the game that we needed and enabled us to get higher up the pitch and I thought he contributed in a number of ways.
"As a team, we didn't function particularly well in the attacking half, there is no denying that. We weren't creating chances for him and to a degree, as a centre-forward, you are reliant on that service and we didn't provide him with enough. The team has to take responsibility for that and we have to take responsibility for that.
"As I said a second ago, I see no reason why we won't score goals."
Before ending this morning's media conference, Howe offered an update on when fans can expect to see new signing Yoane Wissa.
He concluded: "He's receiving treatment. No operation needed. We're looking the other side of the international break and hoping he'll be fit and available for that first game."