Eddie Howe says the presence of Alexander Isak is protecting Callum Wilson from injury - not that his two-goal match-winner sees it that way.
Wilson came from the bench at half-time with Newcastle trailing 1-0 to Southampton and levelled within nine minutes. Theo Walcott then scored an own goal before Wilson made sure of victory late on.
Howe is yet to start with £60million club-record signing Isak and Wilson together.
But with the pair in double figures for the season, the head coach can only see the benefits of the competition, not least because it affords Wilson a rest.