Newcastle United return to Champions League action tonight as they host Athletic Club at St James’ Park (kick-off 8pm).
And Eddie Howe admits he is facing a difficult team selection, with the head coach weighing up whether to ring the changes from Sunday’s dismal defeat to West Ham United or give the team a chance to redeem themselves.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Howe said: “I'll always consider the team selection in great detail, in great length. I never set out to make a statement. I'll set out to try and pick a team to win the next game. That's the only statement that we need to make, and so that's what I'll try and do on this occasion.
“Difficult team to pick, I think, off the back of Sunday, because you could make wholesale changes or you could give the main group of players a chance to redeem themselves for what they delivered and what we delivered.
“I'm still not 100% there with my team, although it's 99% there.”
Newcastle will welcome back Kieran Trippier after he missed the West Ham game through illness, though could be without captain Bruno Guimaraes, who has also been suffering with illness in recent days.
Howe said: “Yeah, so it seems like there's been a bit of illness going through the squad because various players now have picked something up. So I think Sandro, initially, Jacob Murphy, Bruno, Kieran.
“We’ll make a decision on Bruno tomorrow. He's such an important player for us, but he's clearly not been himself and that's why he's not trained.”
Here’s how Newcastle are predicted to line-up against Athletic:
9. RW: Jacob Murphy
As frustrating as Murphy can be at times, few can argue with his output. Has two goals and an assist in his last four matches. | Getty Images
10. LW: Anthony Gordon
If this was a Premier League game, you’d consider dropping Gordon but the Champions League is where he has performed this season with four goals in three matches. | AFP via Getty Images
11. ST: Nick Woltemade
Scored against Tottenham Hotspur but has barely had a kick in his last three games. NUFC need to involve him more. | Getty Images