Fabian Schar celebrates his late equaliser against Liverpool with Newcastle United team-mates Alexander Isak and Dan Burn
Newcastle United are preparing for today's game at Brentford after their midweek efforts
After two weeks of 'inactivity' during the last international break, Newcastle United play their fourth game in less than fortnight today when they take on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Of course the break meant long journeys and appearances for their countries for several of the United squad, with the likes of Anthony Gordon, Brumo Guimaraes, Alexander Isak, Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall and Miguel Almiron all involved last month.
The rigours of the Premier League allow for no downtime, however, and after their exertions against Liverpool in midweek, Newcastle's mettle will again be sorely tested at Brentford. Eddie Howe is acutely aware of the energy his side spent against Liverpool and, while he will want to keep a settled side, has not ruled out some changes today.
"That's something we're going to discuss at length today and try and find the right balance between change and consistency of selection," he said in his pre-match media briefing. "There were some tired bodies in the team. Anthony Gordon was fatigued at the end of his performance, which was very, very good.
"Naturally when you empty like that and you give so much to the game, there's going to be a hit. Alex [Isak] worked extremely hard and he was tired at the end so that our job is to refuel the group and go again in what is another great opportunity for us."
United usually take a trimmed down squad on their travels, with Lewis Miley and Matt Targett missing the trip to Crystal Palace. Both have been involved with Newcastle's Under-21 side in recent weeks as they look to build match fitness.
Howe is still without Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles, with the pair now close to a comeback after ACL surgery, with the Magpies boss able to field a strong squad at Brentford. Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff will again press for a starting place should Howe decide to rotate, while Harvey Barnes and Callum Wislon are positive alternatives in the forward line.
Team news will be announced at 1.45pm this afternoon ahead of today's 3pm kick-off and you can follow all the latest right here on ChronicleLive.
Newcastle United squad vs Brentford: Pope, Dubravka, Vlachodimos, Trippier, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Kelly, Tonali, Guimaraes, Longstaff, Willock, Joelinton, Murphy, Almiron, Barnes, Osula, Gordon, Isak, Wilson.