Newcastle United set for major injury boost v Tottenham Hotspur after social media hint

Newcastle United are set to welcome back Sean Longstaff into their matchday squad for this afternoon's Premier League clash at Tottenham Hotspur (kick-off 4:30pm).

The Geordie midfielder picked up an ankle injury in the 2-0 defeat against AFC Bournemouth before the international break which has ruled him out of the last four matches versus Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Everton.

But Longstaff has teased a return for the visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Instagram (see above).

Eddie Howe was without 12 senior players for the 3-0 loss at Everton on Thursday, which saw the Magpies' boss name the same starting XI for the fourth successive fixture, excluding goalkeeper Nick Pope, who underwent surgery on a dislocated shoulder on Wednesday.

Howe revealed his hope of welcoming back some players against Spurs with Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes among those thought to be close.

"The players who are injured at the moment were working today at the training ground so I'm hopeful we can get some support," Howe said after the Everton loss.

He added: "That's the beauty of football, you always have another game [to respond]. Of course, we have another game in a few days and that's the schedule we have in December.

"It's a really big ask for the players. We are desperate to get some players back that can make a difference. Hopefully, that will happen. But of course there are no guarantees."

Newcastle can leapfrog Spurs in the Premier League table with three points this afternoon but will need to overcome their poor away form so far having won just once - an 8-0 win at Sheffield United in September.