Newcastle will look to take their unbeaten run to five games when they host Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Magpies lost three games on the trot to Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton but have since bounced back with victories over Brentford and Sheffield United and then the Cityzens in the Carabao Cup, also producing a goalless draw with AC Milan on their return to the Champions League.
The season is in full swing now and manager Eddie Howe has a number of fitness issues to navigate as he looks to lift his side towards the European places ahead of their meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.
Here’s the side Newcastle could put out to secure three points against 19th-place Burnley.
GK: Nick Pope – It’s a second game against former club Burnley for Pope. Back in 2015/16, Charlton were put to the sword in a 3-0 defeat to the Clarets as Sam Vokes, George Boyd and Andre Gray all netted.
RB: Kieran Trippier – Had the freedom of Bramall Lane on Sunday as he assisted goals for Burn, Botman and Wilson.
CB: Fabian Schar – Paul Dummett and Jamaal Lascelles started the win over City but Howe will plug Schar back into his defence.
CB: Sven Botman – Does have a knee complaint but is expected to pull through, with Newcastle in fine defensive form with four clean sheets on the bounce.
LB: Dan Burn – Big Dan Burn was turning out in League One as recently as 2017/18 and wins the Geordie faithful over every time he plays.
CM: Sandro Tonali – Still yet to put in a performance of real authority since signing from AC Milan but should be able to help Newcastle’s midfield dominate on Saturday afternoon.
CM: Bruno Guimaraes – Changed the game against City from the bench and has been named in Brazil’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers in October.
CM: Sean Longstaff – Admitted his goal contributions in each Premier League season he’s played have been “one and then done” as he looks to improve in the final third.
RW: Miguel Almiron – Harvey Barnes may not play again this year which opens up opportunities for the likes of Almiron to nail down a starting spot.
ST: Callum Wilson – Howe may well end up fielding both Alexander Isak and Wilson against defensively vulnerable opposition, but the regular switching between the two strikers suggests Wilson – who has some hamstring tightness – will start centrally.
LW: Anthony Gordon – The 22-year-old is starting to add goal contributions to his game but is also sitting on four league bookings, meaning one more before Newcastle’s 19th league match of the season and he’ll face a suspension.
