United travel to the south coast hoping to back up their 1-1 draw at Wolves and their 2-1 win over Everton with another good showing at St. Mary’s against the in-form Saints.

And head coach Bruce has opted to keep faith in the team which saw off the Toffees, which means once again there are starts for captain Jamaal Lascelles, the influential Allan Saint-Maximin and leading scorer Callum Wilson.

Karl Darlow starts in goal, with Jacob Murphy and Jamal Lewis in the right and left wing-back roles respectively and Fabian Schär, Lascelles and Federico Fernández in central defence.

In midfield, Jeff Hendrick starts alongside Sean Longstaff and Miguel Almirón.

And Saint-Maximin and Wilson form a front two for the Magpies for the Premier League clash.

On the bench, there is just one alteration for United, with Matty Longstaff coming in for Ryan Fraser.

That means that Mark Gillespie is the back-up goalkeeper, with Javier Manquillo and Ciaran Clark providing defensive reinforcements.

Isaac Hayden and Longstaff are also among the substitutes, along with forwards Andy Carroll and Joelinton.

Newcastle United: Karl Darlow; Jacob Murphy, Fabian Schär, Jamaal Lascelles, Federico Fernández, Jamal Lewis; Sean Longstaff, Jeff Hendrick, Miguel Almirón; Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson.

Substitutes: Mark Gillespie, Javier Manquillo, Ciaran Clark, Isaac Hayden, Matty Longstaff, Joelinton, Andy Carroll.