GRAEME SOUNESS will rest Alan Shearer for tonight's visit of Norwich, but the Newcastle United manager wants the Magpies to make sure there is no repeat of last year's early Carling Cup exit.

Newcastle were beaten 2-1 after extra time in the third round by West Brom when a weakened team took to the field.

There was a tendency under Sir Bobby Robson to overlook the competition in favour of planning stronger pushes on the European, FA Cup and Premiership stages instead.

But Souness, with a reputable personal pedigree in the League Cup, insists he is aiming to guide Newcastle as far in the competition as possible, despite having Shearer on the bench tonight.

Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert will play 90 minutes, after recovering from having two wisdom teeth removed, while experienced Norwegian centre-back Ronny Johnsen should make his first appearance for the club since signing for free shortly after Souness' arrival.

Goalkeeper Shay Given, with his wife expecting a baby this week, will be another to make way, with Steve Harper ready to make his usual bow in the Carling Cup.

But Souness, although prioritising when selecting his team with a long list of fixtures on the agenda, claims he is taking tonight's match seriously.

"Alan will be rested. He's 46-years-old and he's been playing every game," joked Souness, whose side overcame Manchester City on Sunday just three days after returning from Greece following their UEFA Cup match win over Panionios.

"He'll be on the bench and involved, but it's difficult because if there was a game every night of the week he would want to play every night.

"We have to find the right balancing act because we have been doing lots of travelling and we will be playing midweek until Christmas at least.

"But it is not just the fans who want me to field the strongest team and we will be fielding a side that's worth turning up to see. My players will be having a go because there will be some who feel they should be in the team every week. It's a chance for them to turn out and show us what they are made of."

Full-back Stephen Carr should be available for selection tonight but midfielder Kieron Dyer is still a week away from a return action from the hamstring problem that has dogged him since September 16.

Other top-flight managers use the Carling Cup to hand some of their younger professionals valuable experience.

But Souness, who guided Blackburn to success at the Millennium Stadium in 2002, is of the belief that the less respected trophy is a great opportunity for any side to lift some major silverware, which would end Newcastle's 35-year hunt for honours.

"It's been kind to me over the years," said Souness, who also won the League Cup three times during his playing days. "And when you have a good squad of players you feel you can do well in it.

"People may not use their strongest teams, but they do when there's only a couple of rounds left. We are involved in everything and I want to win everything."

Souness, looking to extend his unbeaten run to eight games, said: "The minute you talk about things going well it caves in. So I won't go there. It's an extremely hard programme coming up and it will be a test for the team."

A crowd of over 35,000 is expected tonight with 30,000 tickets sold before yesterday lunch-time.

Meanwhile, Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan has apologised to referee Steve Dunn for his conduct in the tunnel at St James' Park on Sunday.

The former Newcastle boss was charged by the FA yesterday ''for abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour'' towards Dunn, who was labelled as a 'homer' by Keegan.

''I will write a letter of apology to Steve Dunn for what I said to him in the tunnel,'' said Keegan. ''I don't regret my general point that he had a very bad game but maybe I could have articulated my feelings in a slightly different way and for that I will accept any punishment coming to me.