Newcastle United v Brentford team news as five ruled out and five are doubts

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is facing a number of big calls as his side prepare to host unbeaten Brentford at St James park on Saturday evening.

The Magpies head into the game looking to end a run of three consecutive defeats against a Bees side that have claimed one win and three draws from their opening four league fixtures. History favours Howe’s men as Brentford travel to Tyneside looking for only their second ever win at Gallowgate, with their only previous victory coming way back in September 1934.

Ahead of what already feels like a key clash for both sides, NewcastleWorld looks at the big decisions facing Howe and Bees counterpart Thomas Frank.

News awaited on Tonali

The Italy international has experienced mixed fortunes during the first month of the Premier League season. After impressing and scoring in the opening day win against Aston Villa, the former AC Milan showed his class with a hardworking display in the home defeat against Liverpool.

However, he struggled to make in impact in defeats against Manchester City and Brighton and could now miss Saturday’s home game with a thigh injury suffered during the recent international break.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Eddie Howe said of Tonali: “I think he felt his thigh in training [with Italy]. He’s come back in and has had a scan. There’s a slight injury there - it’s nothing serious or too long. But we’ll wait and see whether he’s available this weekend.”

Late fitness tests for duo

Howe also revealed he is hoping to have defender Sven Botman and midfielder Elliot Anderson back in contention for the meeting with the Bees.

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Botman suffered an ankle injury in the defeat against Liverpool and Howe has confirmed the former Lille defender has trained all week and could ‘possibly’ return to contention. The United boss took a similar view youngster Anderson and is hopeful the talented midfielder will be available after withdrawing from international duty with Scotland and picking up a knock in training.

Spanish defender Javier Manquillo is also a doubt with a groin injury.

Long-term injury victims remain unavailable

Two confirmed absentees from Saturday’s game are defender Emil Krafth and midfielder Joe Willock.

Sweden international Krafth is still around a month away from returning to contention as he reaches the final stages of his recovery from a serious knee injury he suffered in a Carabao Cup win against Tranmere Rovers in August last year.

Willock was expected to make a return prior to the international break but Howe revealed the former Arsenal midfielder is still ‘around six weeks away’ from returning.

Speaking earlier this month, he said: “Unfortunately, Joe has had a bit of a setback. It’s an Achilles injury not related to his hamstring problem. So, I think he will be missing for around (another) six weeks. We are missing him in terms of his energy.”

Bees trio ruled out but midfielder could return

Brentford manager Thomas Frank has his own selection issues ahead of the trip to Tyneside.

Former Newcastle United striker Ivan Toney will remain on the sidelines until January as he serves a suspension for breaching betting laws and both defender Josh Dasilva and midfielder Shandon Baptiste are both still working their way back from respective hamstring and shoulder injuries.

Danish international Mikkel Damsgaard could return to contention after Frank revealed there was a ‘slim chance’ he could recover from a groin injury in time to feature.