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:
5. CB: Sven Botman
Similar to Thiaw, Jaissle is unlikely to deviate from his preferred centre-back pairing. | Getty Images
6. LB: Lewis Hall
Livramento is still not fit enough to start, so there isn’t really an opportunity to rest Hall, even if the manager wanted to. | Getty Images
7. CM: Sean Steur (in for Nico Gonzalez)
Steur can count himself unlucky not to have started either of the last two Premier League matches. Made a difference after coming on at the weekend. | Getty Images
8. CM: Lewis Miley
It was on the hour-mark that Miley came off against Bournemouth after struggling to make an impact. Perhaps he’s a little fresher than the rest. | Getty Images