Daniel Farke wants his shadow squad to wise up after Norwich City’s 3-1 League Cup first round exit at Luton Town.

James Collins plundered a second half hat-trick with Kieran Dowell replying for a Canaries’ squad missing 15 internationals, the suspended Emi Buendia, injured players and new signing Ben Gibson unavailable.

“It was not a reality check for me but maybe it will be for some of the players as to how difficult this season will be,” said Farke. “Luton is a proper Championship side, they stick together as a group and to win a game like this against teams like this then you have to be good in all topics.

“We are not a big favourite for winning the title or something like this. We will have to work unbelievably hard for every point and we definitely need our best players. I think that was proved in this game.”

Timm Klose went off in the second half with a knee issue.

“I can’t add too much more right now. It seems to be a hit against his knee,” said Farke. “I have just watched the footage back and maybe it looks more like a dead leg. How serious it is we don’t know. He just gave the sign he was not able to sprint any more. We had to move Alex Tettey to defence and bring Mario (Vrancic) in but I see him now in a more advanced position than he had to play in this game.

“Maybe competition for the number 10 role. With Alex out of the side in the centre we didn’t look as solid.”

Farke also had his say on Newcastle’s interest in Jamal Lewis, with the clubs in negotiations for the Northern Irish left back.

“Not my topic at the moment. I told everyone for the past 24 hours I just wanted to concentrate on this game, Nothing else,” he said. “But I have spoken a lot about this situation and nothing has changed. If there is something in the background that is upto Stuart Webber, our sporting director, to make any decisions. From the sporting point of view we need our best players and I wouldn’t sell any of our best players.

“But I am not naive. Decisions have to be made in the interests of the club, not just the head coach. If the board and our sporting director has a situation where they have to make a decision in the best interests of the club they are better placed than me.

“I trust the key people to make the best decisions. But I don’t know if there is any news.”