Newcastle United expected starting XI v West Ham United amid 'blow' & £93m dilemma

Eddie Howe will name at least one change to his Newcastle United starting XI for the Premier League clash against West Ham United tonight.

The Magpies are without Dan Burn for the first time this season after he picked up his fifth yellow card in the 3-1 win at Nottingham Forest last time out. As per Premier League rules, five cautions in the opening 19 matches results in automatic one-match ban.

“It’s a blow to lose Dan because the defensive unit has been in a good place in recent weeks,” said Howe. “I thought Dan was very good against Nottingham Forest, I thought he played very well, defending crosses superbly and his aerial ability and mobility really helped us in that game.

“We’re going to miss him and his leadership skills but it’s an opportunity for someone else to come in and grab the opportunity. I feel we have players that are waiting to play so as much as we will miss Dan, we always back the players that are going to come in.”

Lloyd Kelly is in line to make his sixth start since arriving on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth in the summer.

Elsewhere across the team, Howe isn’t expected to make many other changes following a run of three consecutive wins, although Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes’ impact off the bench against Forest provides a dilemma.

Here’s how Newcastle United are expected to line-up against West Ham United: