Five weeks on from the Magpies' 1-0 win against Chelsea at St. James' Park, Eddie Howe's side are back on home soil this afternoon as they take on Andoni Iraola's side in today's festive friendly.

Pope, who was part of England's 26-man squad at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar, starts in-between the sticks, while captain Jamaal Lascellles partners Sven Botman in the heart of defence, with Trippier and Matt Targett occupying the respective flanks.

Jonjo Shelvey is situated in the middle of the park alongside Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock, who netted the winner against the Blues in November, while Jacob Murphy and Allan Saint-Maximin will aim to provide support for frontman Chris Wood who has recovered from a slight back injury.

Alex Murphy, Jay Turner-Cooke and Lewis Miley, who all made their first-team debuts for the Magpies during a 5-0 win against Al Hilal in Riyadh last week, are available to deploy from the substitutes' bench.

There are a number of youngsters, who regularly feature for Newcastle's under-21 side, who could be in line for their senior bows this afternoon, including the likes of Michael Ndiweni, Niall Brookwell, Josh Scott, Nathan Carlyon and Kyle Crossley.

Newcastle United: Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles (c), Sven Botman, Matt Targett, Jonjo Shelvey, Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock, Jacob Murphy, Allan Saint-Maximin, Chris Wood.

Substitutes: Mark Gillespie, Alex Murphy, Niall Brookwell, Josh Scott, Nathan Carlyon, Lewis Miley, Jay Turner-Cooke, Kyle Crossley, Dylan Stephenson, Michael Ndiweni.