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:
9. RW: Jacob Murphy (in for Anthony Elanga)
Jaissle fought to keep Murphy in the summer amid bids from Nottingham Forest. A chance to give the dressing room leader some game time. | Getty Images
10. LW: Bazoumana Toure (in for Harvey Barnes)
Toure started and scored in the last round against West Brom before coming off at half-time. Newcastle fans want to see more from their £42m summer recruit. | Getty Images
11. AM: Jacob Ramsey (in for Joe Willock)
Ramsey let slip after the Bournemouth game that he had been playing in training as a No.10, despite coming in a deeper role to score a late equaliser. Maybe this is when we’ll see it in a game. | Getty Images
12. ST: Matias Fernandez-Pardo (in for Yoane Wissa)
Toon supporters liked what they saw from the Belgian in the half-hour he played against Bournemouth and are eager to see him in for the start. | Getty Images