Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimarães return to the starting line-up for the Magpies at St. James’ Park, replacing Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock, while Tino Livramento has been handed his first Premier League start for Newcastle in place of Lewis Hall, who is ineligible to feature against his parent club.
Nick Pope, who makes his 50th English top-flight appearance for the Magpies this afternoon, continues in-between the sticks behind a four-man defence containing Kieran Trippier, captain Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schär and Livramento, who began his playing career at today’s visitors.
Guimarães, who missed United’s trip to AFC Bournemouth a fortnight ago after serving a one-match suspension, returns to the starting line-up and will feature alongside Joelinton and Lewis Miley, who became the club’s youngest Premier League debutant after featuring against Chelsea on the final day of the 2022/23 season, in the middle of the park.
Miguel Almirón and Anthony Gordon, who scored his first Newcastle goal against Chelsea in a 1-1 away draw on the final day of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, will aim to provide support for Isak, who has netted six goals in his last eight league matches.
Matt Ritchie, who made his 200th competitive outing for United during a 1-0 win against Arsenal earlier this month, and Paul Dummett are named on the substitutes’ bench along with goalkeeping trio Martin Dúbravka, Loris Karius and Mark Gillespie.
A number of youngsters are available for Howe to deploy from the substitutes’ bench, including 18-year-old striker Ben Parkinson - who made his Premier League debut during United’s 2-0 defeat against Bournemouth a fortnight ago - as well as Alex Murphy, Amadou Diallo and Michael Ndiweni.
Newcastle United: Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier Fabian Schär, Jamaal Lascelles (c), Tino Livramento, Bruno Guimarães, Lewis Miley, Joelinton, Miguel Almirón, Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak.
Substitutes: Martin Dúbravka, Mark Gillespie, Loris Karius, Paul Dummett, Alex Murphy, Matt Ritchie, Michael Ndiweni, Amadou Diallo, Ben Parkinson.
