Mired in the midst of a relegation fight, the last thing Rafa Benitez needed was an FA Cup replay.
However, that’s exactly what he and Newcastle have received. Newcastle travels to Blackburn to play a replay match after a 1-1- draw at St. Janes Park
Benitez said before hand he was already planning on rotating his squad, either allowing youngsters to get valuable minutes or focusing his priorities in Cardiff City at the weekend, a massive relegation zone battle.
[ LIVE: Follow all the FA Cup scores here ]
A win over Cardiff City would go a long way towards ensuring survival, which at this point is Benitez’s focus. In other words, expect Blackburn to have a decent chance at home against Premier League opposition.
Elsewhere, League One’s Luton Town hosts Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday, and Stoke City hosts League One’s Shrewsbury Town in the rest of the FA Cup replay action.
