Newcastle United has made three changes for its match against Chelsea, with two welcome returns and more injury concerns.
After missing a month due to a groin injury, Alexander Isak returns to the starting lineup following the international break. Tino Livramento also makes his Premier League debut for the club, replacing the ineligible Lewis Hall.
In midfield, Bruno Guimaraes returns from suspension, while 17-year-old Lewis Miley retains his spot to make his second Premier League start.
Injuries force Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock to withdraw from the midfield. Newcastle’s bench revealed the seriousness of their injury issues, with three goalkeepers and four under-21s joining Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett.
Newcastle United line-up: Pope; Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Livramento; Guimaraes, Miley, Joelinton; Almiron, Gordon, Isak
Substitutes: Dubravka, Gillespie, Karius, Dummett, Ritchie, Diallo, A.Murphy, Ndiweni, Parkinson
1. GK: Nick Pope
Although Pope conceded twice against Bournemouth last time out, he still made some crucial saves to keep the score down at the Vitality Stadium. He has kept four Premier League clean sheets in a row at St James’ Park.
2. RB: Tino Livramento
Injuries across the back line – and Lewis Hall’s ineligibility to face his parent club – means Livramento will likely get the nod on Saturday.
3. CB: Jamaal Lascelles
Lascelles has gone from hardly playing to being needed game after game. He has put in shift after shift and has been a key part of Newcastle’s successes in recent times.
4. CB: Fabian Schar
Schar didn’t feature for his country during the international break, however, it is expected that he will be fit to face Chelsea.
5. LB: Kieran Trippier
Trippier has been unplayable at times this season, leading from the back as well as chipping in with seven assists in all competitions. He will be heavily-relied upon to help lead the side over the next few weeks or so.
6. CM: Lewis Miley
Keeps his place in the side for his first Premier League start at St James’ Park.
7. CM: Bruno Guimaraes
Guimaraes missed last weekend’s defeat and his absence was felt in midfield. Hopefully the Brazilian is fit and ready to go after an indifferent international break spent with the Brazilian national team.
8. CM: Joelinton
Joelinton keeps his place in the side after a frustrating international break with Brazil in which he played nine minutes and was sent off.
9. RW: Miguel Almiron
The Paraguayan didn’t travel to represent his country over the international period after suffering a minor injury against Bournemouth. If he is fit enough to play against Chelsea, then he will almost certainly start.
10. ST: Alexander Isak
Isak’s return will be a huge boost for Newcastle, particularly as it seems Callum Wilson will miss the next few weeks of action. Isak has six Premier League goals this season.
11. LW: Anthony Gordon
Gordon has been brilliant this season and whilst he has performed well as a striker, it will be good to see him back on the wing and making life very difficult for his opposition full-back.
12. SUB: Martin Dubravka
13. SUB: Loris Karius
14. SUB: Mark Gillespie
15. SUB: Paul Dummett
16. SUB: Matt Ritchie
17. SUB: Alex Murphy
18. SUB: Michael Ndiweni
19. SUB: Ben Parkinson
20. SUB: Amadou Diallo
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