Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce is wary of the threat of Ivan Toney, who starts on the bench for the hosts, and says the Brentford striker may feel he has something to prove against his old club.

Toney signed for Newcastle from Northampton in 2015 but only made two Premier League appearances.

The 24-year-old already has 16 goals this season for Brentford.

"You have to say 'well done' to the kid. He's done very well. He will be a threat," said Bruce.

"He's playing with that burning desire to do well and prove people wrong."

Alistair Magowan
BBC Sport

Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin and captain Jamaal Lascelles are both suffering from the long-term effects of coronavirus and it is not known when they will return.

The pair were among several players to have contracted the virus when an outbreak hit the club earlier this month.

That forced the postponement of Newcastle's game against Aston Villa and the training ground was closed for over a week.

Manager Steve Bruce said on Friday that two of his players had suffered "damaging effects" of the virus and had been "struggling for a while with it".

At that point, the club had not named the players in question.

But after reports emerged on Monday that the players had fallen out with Bruce, the club clarified the reason for their recent absence.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank says Newcastle remain favourites for tonight's tie, despite his side already knocking out three Premier League clubs.

"You need to look at the two leagues, I believe if you asked Newcastle if they had to play against us they would believe they are a better team, so from that perspective they are favourites," he said.

"We are in a good place, have done well in the Carabao Cup and believe we can do something in the game. They are a good side with some high quality players."

But first up, this will be Brentford's first quarter-final in the competition and the Bees are looking to reach the first major semi-final in their history.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are hoping to make it into their first cup semi-final since the 2004-05 season.

They were beaten 4-1 in the last four of the FA Cup that year by Manchester United, Shola Ameobi grabbing the consolation goal.

Arsenal

Image source, Reuters

Arsenal have lost five of their last seven Premier League games and are 15th in the table with 14 points - their worst start to a season since 1974-75.

But they won the FA Cup under Mikel Arteta last season and the Spaniard believes a win against Manchester City could set them up for more trophy success this term.

"This is what we want to use it for because it's a competition we want to try to win," Arteta added.

"We had two difficult opponents, with Leicester and Liverpool. We managed to beat them both and now we are playing at home and we are one step closer to Wembley."

Manchester City

Manchester City will assess Gabriel Jesus to determine whether the striker is fit to play after he missed the win at Southampton at the weekend with a jaw injury.

City are in good form at the moment as they look to extend their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions.

During that time they have conceded just one goal but have struggled to convert chances at the other end in recent games with just two goals in their last three.

Despite Sergio Aguero struggling for fitness, boss Pep Guardiola says he has no plans to bring a striker in when the transfer window opens in January.

When asked if a new signing was a possibility, Guardiola said: "No I don't think so because the economic situation around the world is what it is.

"All the clubs struggle - we are not an exception."

Arsenal

Arsenal will be without striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang against Manchester City because of a calf injury.

The Gabon international missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Everton in the Premier League.

"Auba is not fit," said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

"He will have another scan in the next few days and we will see how quickly we can get him back in the team."

If the opening Carabao Cup quarter-final offers an intriguing match-up, this evening's second tie is something of a mouthwatering clash as Arsenal host holders Manchester City...

SS345: As a Brentford fan, really hoping we can win to get our first ever Carabao Cup semi-final. Then with a little bit of luck we (very hopeful) can win the tournament and play Europa League football next season. Don't know how we're winning without Toney starting though.

Brentford's leading scorer Ivan Toney starts on the bench for the Bees against his former club Newcastle. It's one of six changes made by boss Thomas Frank from their 3-1 win over Reading on Saturday.

Toney, who tops the Championship's scoring charts with 16 goals this season, has not started in Brentford's three previous Carabao Cup rounds and once again finds himself among the substitutes.

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce, meanwhile, makes four changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Fulham on Saturday.

Jamal Lewis, Isaac Hayden, Ryan Fraser and Jacob Murphy come in for Paul Dummett, Federico Fernandez, Matt Ritchie and Joelinton.

Brentford XI: Daniels, Fosu, Pinnock, Sorensen, Thompson, Janelt, Dasilva, Emiliano, Ghoddos, Canos, Forss.

Newcastle XI: Darlow, Yedlin, Hayden, Clark, Lewis, Shelvey, S Longstaff, Murphy, Fraser, Almiron, Wilson.

Yes, first up this evening it is Brentford, fourth in the Championship, who host Premier League Newcastle United.

The Bees head into this one on a 13-match unbeaten run, while Steve Bruce's Newcastle have been in mixed form and are winless in their past two outings.

They have seen off Blackburn, Morecambe and Newport County, on penalties, to reach this stage.

Meanwhile, Brentford beat Wycombe and West Brom in shootouts either side of a victory against Southampton, before seeing off Fulham to make the last eight.

Full team news coming up... but Brentford have named top scorer and former Newcastle striker Ivan Toney on the bench for tonight's clash.

Newcastle, meanwhile, make four changes.

With that in mind, who would you like to see competing in the final at Wembley next April?

Tonight's winners will be joined by either Stoke or Tottenham and Everton or Manchester United in the last four. Could make for some interesting semi-final clashes...

Give us a shout on #bbcfootball

Image source, Getty

Cancelled all plans on the 28 February in anticipation of your side making the EFL Cup final?

The bad news is, you'll be sat watching an empty screen.

The good news? Fingers crossed, you might be able to be there in person.

Yes, the Carabao Cup final has been rescheduled and will now take place on Sunday, 25 April.

An English Football League statement said the decision to move the Wembley game was taken with the objective of having "as many supporters in attendance as possible".

The number of fans permitted will depend on government guidance in place at the time.

Image source, Getty Images

The fun never stops.

The Premier League might have clocked off for Christmas but there is still room for some festive Carabao Cup action.

We've got two tasty quarter-finals to bring you tonight.

The first sees Newcastle make the trip to Championship side Brentford, before Arsenal welcome holders Manchester City.