Newcastle United set to unleash £63m quartet vs West Ham for the first time ever

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For West Ham United’s visit to St James’ Park after the international break, Eddie Howe is set to name a back four that hasn’t yet started together.

Dan Burn - an ever-present for Newcastle United in the Premier League this season - is suspended for the clash after picking up his fifth yellow card in the 3-1 victory at Nottingham Forest.

And that will give summer signing Lloyd Kelly another chance to impress. While Kelly was likely to get the nod anyway, Howe literally has no other senior centre-backs available after Emil Krafth last week joined Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman in the treatment room with broken collarbone.

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Newcastle United defender Lloyd KellyNewcastle United defender Lloyd Kelly
Newcastle United defender Lloyd Kelly | Getty Images

Kelly has found opportunities hard to come by since arriving on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth with his start in the recent 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Chelsea only his fifth of the campaign. That night, however, the signs were promising after the 26-year-old put in a number of crucial blocks as well as forming a solid partnership with Fabian Schar.

Indeed, that was the first time Kelly had started at centre-half in black and white having previously battled Lewis Hall for the left-back spot.

“Lloyd is a very good player in both positions,” said Howe. “Last year, for Bournemouth, he pretty much dovetailed between both positions very well. For us, he’s been used early season as a left-back, but the last few appearances he’s been a centre-back. He looked really comfortable on Wednesday and did really well.

“He is unique in the respect that he’s got really, really good top-end pace, is very athletic and has a lovely left foot as well. I’m very pleased with him.

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“It’s early days for him, settling into a new club, but I think he’s adapted really well. Of course, I like him, having worked with him previously. I know the qualities that he brings. I think he’s going to be a really good signing for us.”

Although Kieran Trippier is close to returning, recent performances suggest Tino Livramento is a shoo-in at right-back while on the opposite side, Hall’s stock continues to rise after receiving England recognition.

Had it not been for his three-match ban for ‘head butting’ Southampton’s Ben Brereton-Diaz, it’s fair to assume Schar would have started every game this term, at least in the league anyway.

Adding Kelly to that backline, and this may come as a surprise, would actually be the first time the four have played together.

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