Allan Saint-Maximin and seven Newcastle United players missing from Sheffield Wednesday clash

Allan Saint-Maximin is among eight Newcastle United players absent from the squad for the trip to Sheffield Wednesday.

Eddie Howe’s side are at Hillsborough this evening (kick-off 6pm) in the third round of the FA Cup, however the likes of Saint-Maximin, Nick Pope, Callum Wilson Fabian Schar haven’t travelled.

During Friday’s pre-match press conference, Howe hinted at rotation with one eye on Tuesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Leicester City at St James’ Park.

“It’s going to be down to me this weekend to try and get a balance right of how we prepare for this game and what team we pick,” Howe said.

“We want to win the game, we want to go through. We have another cup game a couple of days later. There’s a lot to thing about and I haven’t fully, as I sit here now, made my mind up on what time I will pick.

“I’m going to assess training today and make a decision.”

Pope, Wilson and Schar are understood to be rested, while Saint-Maximin is missing through illness. The Frenchman was tipped to feature against the Owls having started just one game since August due to a hamstring problem.

Jonjo Shelvey (calf), Matt Targett (heel) and Emil Krafth (ACL) are injured.