Newcastle United’s new-look starting XI versus Southampton - if Ralph Hasenhuttl had his controversial way
Newcastle United visit Southampton in a re-arranged Premier League fixture on Thursday evening (kick-off 7:30pm).
Eddie Howe’s side were originally due to face the Saints on January 2 but the game was postponed following a Covid-19 outbreak in United’s camp.
The Magpies also had a long list of injuries but Ralph Hasenhuttl voiced his frustration at the match being cancelled.
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In his comments at the beginning of the year, Hasenhuttl insisted players signed by Newcastle in January should not be allowed to play in the re-arranged fixture.
The Saints boss said: “We were discussing in the last Premier League meeting about what happens with the winter signings for the postponed games, if they’re allowed to play or not.
“For us it’s the same, we can now also with our new owners sign new players and that is not really fair to play in games that have been postponed.
“The last word has not been spoken so far.”
Had Hasenhuttl’s theory come into play, that would have United left without Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Matt Targett and Dan Burn for the visit to St Mary’s.
We take a look at how Newcastle could have lined up against Southampton had the Austrian got his way:
1. GK: Martin Dubravka
The Slovakian missed Eddie Howe’s first game in charge but has started each of the 15 games in all competitions since. He’s conceded just four goals in 2022.
2. RB: Emil Krafth
The Sweden international has stepped in for the injured Kieran Trippier but had the England man been fit, he’d be unavailable under Hasenhuttl’s theory. Photo: Stu Forster
3. CB: Jamaal Lascelles
Lascelles would start his first game since the 3-1 win over Everton on February 8 in place of deadline signing Dan Burn.
4. CB: Fabian Schar
No change for Schar, with the Switzerland international missing just one of Howe’s 16 games in charge as United boss.