Newcastle United unleash £124m strike force as 16y/o called into squad after new double absence
Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade feature in the same Newcastle United team for the first time.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has started Yoane Wissa AND Nick Woltemade against AFC Bournemouth in the third round of the FA Cup.
Newcastle head into the match on the back of Wednesday’s 4-3 comeback win over Leeds United, where Harvey Barnes, who keeps in place in the XI, scored a 102nd-minute winner.
The Magpies recorded a third straight Premier League win to move up to sixth in the table, but now take a break from league action with back-to-back cup games.
Eddie Howe makes seven changes to Newcastle United starting XI v Everton
With Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg match against Manchester City to bear in mind, Howe has made seven changes to his line-up.
Aaron Ramsdale came in for Nick Pope in between the sticks and Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier and Sven Botman were brought into the back four in place of Lewis Miley, Lewis Hall and the injured Fabian Schar.
In midfield, Sandro Tonali also retained his spot as Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton dropped out for Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey. Woltemade and Barnes also kept their places as Wissa replaced Anthony Gordon.
Nick Woltemade & Yoane Wissa start together
For the first time ever, Howe has named Woltemade and Wissa - his £124million strike force - in the same line-up.
Speaking previously about the prospect of two playing together, Howe said: “I’ve always historically, going way back, used two strikers. Haven't done it so much here, but we did go through spells where we used Alex and Callum together, so, of course, you can adapt any system to any two players.
“But I think what is really important, or if and when you play two strikers, you don't lose control of the pitch in other areas and you have your two strikers starved of the ball.
“I think it's a delicate balance for us, two outstanding players that you'd love to see on the pitch together, of course, but not to the detriment of the team.”
Newcastle United 16-year-old drafted into squad after double absence
In the absence of Schar and Jacob Murphy, Howe has brought in 18-year-old Sean Neave and 16-year-old Sam Alabi into the matchday squad.
Alabi joined from Oldham Athletic in 2023 and has this season made his under-21s debut, as well as continue to represent England at youth level.
The midfielder was named in the Magpies’ squad for the Champions League clash away to Marseille last month but the Boxing Day trip to Manchester United was the first time he had featured on a Premier League bench.
Commenting on Alabi’s call-up, Howe said: “Sam's done well when he's trained with us. He's so young and we've got to be very mindful of that and look after him and protect him and nurture him but he's certainly got a lot of talent.
“He's got a great attitude as well. I love his fearlessness and how he's adapted himself to the group. He's got a great future ahead of him if he continues to work hard.”