Gordon, who missed the Magpies' 1-1 draw against Everton on Tuesday night due to a one-match suspension, is handed a start in place of Harvey Barnes while Joe Willock, who scored in United's 2-0 away win at Fulham on the final day of the 2020/21 season, replaces Elliot Anderson.

Martin Dúbravka, who has kept five consecutive clean sheets against the Cottagers, starts in-between the sticks behind a four-man defence containing Emil Krafth, Fabian Schär, Dan Burn and Lewis Hall.

Burn, who has netted in his last two outings against his former club, will captain the visitors and is in line for his 150th Premier League start.

Bruno Guimarães will make his 100th competitive appearance for the Magpies this afternoon, with the Brazil international situated alongside Willock and Sean Longstaff, who scored in last season's 4-1 league win at Craven Cottage, in the middle of the park.

Jacob Murphy and Gordon will aim to provide attacking options on the flanks while Alexander Isak, who was shortlisted for March's Premier League Player of the Month award earlier this week, will aim to continue his impressive form in front of goal, with the Swedish frontman aiming to score in his fifth consecutive league outing this afternoon.

Barnes and Anderson, who both made impressive impacts from the substitutes' bench during last weekend's 4-3 win against West Ham United, are available to deploy if needed as well as young trio Joe White, Alex Murphy and Amadou Diallo.

The other substitutes are Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett while Howe has also named two goalkeepers, Loris Karius and Mark Gillespie, on the bench.

Newcastle United: Martin Dúbravka, Emil Krafth, Fabian Schär, Dan Burn (c), Lewis Hall, Bruno Guimarães, Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock, Jacob Murphy, Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak.

Substitutes: Loris Karius, Mark Gillespie, Paul Dummett, Alex Murphy, Matt Ritchie, Joe White, Elliot Anderson, Amadou Diallo, Harvey Barnes.