Matthias Jaissle is expected to make changes to his Newcastle United starting XI for the Carabao Cup third-round trip to Millwall, although exactly how many remains to be seen.
Starting in between the sticks and Jaissle has been handed a potential dilemma with Ewen Jaouen, as revealed by NewcastleWorld, ruled out of the match whilst he seeks specialist advice on an ankle problem.
The Frenchman, who also missed the 2-2 draw at home to AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, was signed by the Magpies in the summer as their cup goalkeeper. Now he is unavailable, Jaissle faces a decision on whether to stick with number one goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, or recall Nick Pope.
Pope, now the club’s third-choice goalkeeper, was made available for transfer in the summer but failed to secure a move. His inclusion on the bench against Bournemouth was the first time he has featured in a matchday squad under Jaissle.
Elsewhere, Aladji Bamba is yet to start a game for Newcastle since his £30million move from Monaco. The midfielder was a late substitute in the Premier League opener against Liverpool but has been left on the bench in the three matches since.
Meanwhile, two other summer signings are also eyeing starts.
Bazoumana Toure, a £42million signing from Hoffenheim, started and scored in the second round win over West Bromwich Albion, but his involvement has been limited so far. Fernandez-Pardo arrived from Lille for £51million on deadline day and made his debut as a 63rd-minute substitute at the weekend.
Here’s how Newcastle United are predicted to line-up against Millwall:
1. Will Matias Fernandez-Pardo start for Newcastle United against Millwall?
Getty Images
2. GK: Lukas Hornicek
As revealed by NewcastleWorld, Ewen Jaouen, who played in the second round win over West Brom, will miss the game with an ankle issue. Nick Pope has now stepped up to second-choice goalkeeper, but does that mean he’ll start? Probably not. | Getty Images
3. RB: Amar Dedic
Tino Livramento made his return from injury as a late sub in the draw against Bournemouth on Saturday, but Matthias Jaissle confirmed after the game that the full-back isn’t yet fit to start, meaning Dedic is likely to continue. | Getty Images
4. CB: Malick Thiaw
Fabian Schar is waiting for an opportunity but Matthias Jaissle is yet to change his back four this season. It’ll likely be the same again at The Den, unless there are fitness issues we don’t know about. | Getty Images