Should Joe Willock start for Newcastle United? Steve Bruce’s big Carabao Cup decisions assessed

Joe Willock - to start or not?

Similar to the weekend, there are question marks about whether the £25million midfielder should be in the starting XI or not.

He was on Saturday, getting 90 minutes under his belt - around double the total he got for Arsenal in pre-season.

Bruce asked the question of reporters, when questioned about whether he was ready: ‘when else will he get minutes?’. There seems no better place than the Carabao Cup, if you ask me.

Stick with three or back to a four?

Is United’s three at the back working, or is it time to go back to a four?

Again, this might not be a bad game for Bruce to experiment in that department, at least.

The four will not suit the likes of Jacob Murphy and Matt Ritchie, but could do wonders for others such as Miguel Almiron.

Change keepers?

This seems the most certain of changes for Bruce.

It would be more of a surprise if Freddie Woodman was not rested and Mark Gillespie brought in, much like he was for this competition last season.

Time for the fringe men? Gayle, Joelinton, Fraser, etc

Bruce is unlikely, particularly in the current climate, to risk suffering injury to his key men.

That is most likely to see Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson and others taken out the League Cup firing line.

One man’s absence could well be another’s opportunity, though, and Ryan Fraser, Joelinton, Jamal Lewis, Jeff Hendrick, Dwight Gayle, Javier Manquillo, Sean Longstaff and brother Matty Longstaff could well be handed the chance to shine.

Call in the kids?

With Elliot Anderson unfortunately still sidelined with a hip problem, eyes will turn to others from the academy who may be given an opportunity.

The player who looks to be at the front of the queue in this department is Joe White, with the talented No.10 impressing in pre-season.

Others such as Tom Allan and Dan Langley may, depending on Bruce’s thoughts on the fixture, find a spot on the bench.