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:
5. LB: Lewis Hall
From bench warmer to an England international, Hall’s transformation in the last 12 months has been nothing short of incredible. | Getty Images
6. CM: Bruno Guimaraes
Brazil are going through a difficult period but on Tyneside, Guimaraes is loved and adored - and that brings out the best in him. | Getty Images
7. CM: Sean Longstaff
Why change something that’s working? The return of Longstaff to the starting XI has brought a better balance to the midfield. The work he does can go unnoticed. | Getty Images
8. CM: Joe Willock
Newcastle are beginning to see the best of Willock again after his 2023-24 campaign was disrupted by an Achilles injury. | Getty Images