Two weeks on from that forgettable 0-0 draw away to Leeds, Newcastle United are finally back in Premier League action today.
The break probably came at a decent time, allowing us to reset and take stock now that the window has closed, but it has come at a slight cost as new signing Yoanee Wissa has returned with a knee issue.
However, Eddie Howe’s Mags should still have enough to beat a Wolves side currently without a point or star striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Predicted XI
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(4-3-3) _Pope – Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes._
This would mean four changes from our last game, seeing Lewis Hall, Joelinton, Nick Woltemade and Harvey Barnes come in for Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier, Jacob Ramsey and Will Osula.
What I will say first is that Barnes’ partner took birth yesterday, as fans have spotted via Instagram, so there could be a late decision to make for the player and Howe there.
At the back, I think Nick Pope keeps his place and I see this as the perfect chance to bring Hall back into the side, giving us balance and creativity down that left. Kieran Trippier dropping out could also allow him to be ready for next Thursday’s clash with Barcelona.
This could be a good time to bring Malick Thiaw in for his first start, but will Howe break up a Fabian Schar and Dan Burn pairing that’s kept two clean sheets in three so far? I’m not so sure, although it’s tough to know what Howe has in mind with three games to come in our next eight days.
The midfield three picks itself, especially with Ramsay ruled out and Joelinton fit again. That said, Bruno Guimaraes may have to be managed carefully after he played 90 minutes in Bolivia’s high-altitude stadium in the early hours of Wednesday.
Up top, Howe’s pre-match comments and Wissa’s absence leaves me confident that Woltemade will be coming straight into the side on his debut, as he’s been training since Tuesday and seems to have settled in well.
Either side of him will be Barnes (if he is able to play!) and one of Jacob Murphy or Anthony Elanga. The latter could easily start and I hope he does, but the Swede’s pace could be a key weapon against Barca’s high line, while Murphy has been training with Woltemade and Barnes all week, which could be helpful as our new £69m striker beds in.
One ‘leaked’ line up doing the rounds online is a similar XI, with Thiaw in for Schar and Elanga in for Murphy instead, but only time will tell what Howe has in mind.
HWTL.