Eddie Howe has named five changes to his Newcastle United starting XI for the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers to St James’ Park (kick-off 4:30pm).
Fabian Schar returns to partner Sven Botman at centre-back after missing last weekend’s 2-0 loss at Manchester City because of concussion protocols.
Joe Willock comes into the three-man midfield in place of the suspended Joelinton - but it is the front three that is most intriguing.
Alexander Isak starts ahead of Callum Wilson, while Howe has dropped top scorer Miguel Almiron in favour of Jacob Murphy. Allan Saint-Maximin, on his 26th birthday, comes in for the injured Anthony Gordon.
“Through every season, there are difficult moments and there are patches where you, for some reason, don’t win the games maybe you should,” Howe said on Friday. “That’s the time, I believe, that you have to be really strong, mentally, and know it will change.
“I think this has been slightly different to previous experiences I’ve had, with cup games in the middle of two tough league games, but general performances have been very strong.
“You have to look at the dynamic of the team and how they’re performing knowing the results will follow that pattern.”
Check out Newcastle’s starting XI and subs in full:
1. RB: Kieran Trippier
Photo: Laurence Griffiths
2. CB: Fabian Schar
Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS
3. CB: Sven Botman
Photo: PAUL ELLIS
4. LB: Dan Burn
Photo: Frank Reid