Palace Return To League Cup Action

Crystal Palace are back to Capital One Cup action under the Selhurst lights tomorrow as they take on Newcastle United for the second time in three weeks. 

Both sides gained their place in this third round tie by beating Football League opposition away from home, Palace won 3-0 at Walsall but Newcastle were rather less convincing, beating Gillingham 1-0. 

Neil Warnock is expected to make wholesale changes to the side that won at Everton on Sunday with Brede Hangeland, Jonny Williams, Wilfried Zaha and Adrian Mariappa all expected to start. Wayne Hennessey also looks likely to carry on his 'Cup Keeper' duties. On the other hand, ex-Palace midfielder and under-fire Newcastle manager may decide he wants a Cup run to keep fans' happy so could name a more familiar line up. 

Warnock is also expected to name a few youngsters in the matchday squad, Hiram Boateng, Sullay KaiKai, Jake Gray and summer signing Chris Kettings all made the bench against Walsall and we may not see all of them named, but I feel it would be nice to see a youngster given a run out. 

Please remember the game does have the capability to run through to extra time and penalties so remember your pillows, blankets, hot chocolate etc. and I feel we could have to endure at least extra time due to the two sides being so evenly matched, which was proved in the 3-3 draw at St James' Park three weeks ago. 

Obviously a Cup run would be lovely but our League Cup run in 2011/12 proved that a good run in both the League and the Cup is always very difficult to achieve and I feel we are a few years away from having a strong enough squad to compete in every competition. A win tomorrow would great, but not imperitive.

Article contributed by : Sam Smith