Eddie Howe has made eight changes to his Newcastle United starting XI for this evening’s Premier League clash at home to Arsenal - reverting back to the same line-up that drew 2-2 at Wolverhampton Wanderers last Saturday.
The Magpies dumped Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup in midweek but Martin Dubravka, Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth, Paul Dummett, Lewis Hall, Joe Willock, Matt Ritchie and Matt Targett, who is injured, all drop out.
Nick Pope returns in between the sticks with Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn as the back four.
Bruno Guimaraes comes back into the midfield three alongside Joelinton and Sean Longstaff. In attack, Anthony Gordon moves back onto the left wing as Callum Wilson lines up as the central striker. Miguel Almiron starts on the right wing.
And there’s a surprise return for Jacob Murphy on the bench.
The former Norwich City winger dislocated his shoulder during the recent 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund and it was initially feared he’d be forced to undergo surgery.
However, Howe revealed on Friday that Murphy’s shoulder had improved and the club were “trying everything we can to avoid an operation.”
In another boost, Lewis Miley is also back in the matchday squad after a spell on the sidelines with glandular fever.
Here’s Newcastle United’s starting XI and subs in full:
1. GK: Nick Pope
Rested in midweek having started every game before that.
2. RB: Kieran Trippier
Tino Livramento starred at Old Trafford but he still has some way to go before displacing Trippier regularly.
3. CB: Jamaal Lascelles
An unused substitute in midweek. Set for an extended spell in the starting XI but Sven Botman’s return unclear.
4. CB: Fabian Schar
A deserved rest in midweek for the Switzerland international, who has been consistently outstanding in recent months.