NEWCASTLE boss Rafa Benitez could make changes for Sunday's FA Cup fourth round tie at Chelsea to protect his squad for the Premier League clash with Burnley.

The Clarets head to St James' Park on Wednesday and Benitez admits he has to use his squad wisely, with Premier League survival the Magpies' ultimate aim this season.

“I think we have to find the balance. I always say we can progress in any competition, in this case in the FA Cup, if we have the squad strong enough to compete,” he said. “We will see if we can do it, but I will use the squad, for sure.

“Every game is important, but obviously we know how massive it is to stay in the Premier League, because of all the money around and then you can improve your team if you have more money. It’s a win-win situation if you stay in the Premier League, so that is something we have to consider.

"But at the same time, if we can use the squad, we will try to do our best. We will use some players that were maybe not playing, and obviously some that were. I need to find this balance between players with match fitness and players who are not playing too much.”