Surprise Newcastle United team news as Eddie Howe drops key quartet at Norwich City

Three points at Carrow Road against Norwich City would guarantee Newcastle United end today in the top half of the Premier League.

What a difference a few months makes, eh?

It would also represent the Magpies’ fourth Premier League win on the bounce, having seen off Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City and Crystal Palace at St James’ Park in the last fortnight.

And following a busy schedule, Eddie Howe has decided to tweak the team that’s started the last two games.

Howe makes FOUR changes to the side who won 1-0 over the Eagles in midweek, with goalscorer Miguel Almiron one of the quartet to drop out.

Fabian Schar, Chris Wood and Jonjo Shelvey are the other three players to miss out, with Jamaal Lascelles, Jacob Murphy, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock all coming back into the side.

So here’s your NUFC team, in full, ahead of another afternoon of Premier League action...

Newcastle United starting XI

Martin Dubravka; Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles (c), Dan Burn, Matt Targett; Joe Willock, Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff; Jacob Murphy, Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton.

And the bench...

Karl Darlow, Fabian Schar, Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie, Federico Fernandez, Javier Manquillo, Chris Wood, Miguel Almiron, Dwight Gayle.

Here’s the opposition