Newcastle United take on Bright & Hove Albion in the Premier League
Football content editor for Chronicle Live, Sunderland Live, Gazette Live, Leeds Live, Yorkshire Live and Hull Live. A North East native, he has been working in sports journalism since 1995. Stuart has worked on the Sunday Sun, Chronicle and the Journal since move from the Gateshead Post in 1999.
Sandro Tonali and Jacob Ramsey
View Image
Newcastle United are back in Premier League action this weekend. The international break is over and I think we can all say 'hurrah' to that.
As good as it has been to see Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade on the scoresheet, Eddie Howe's first concern will be getting his star men back fit and well. Brazilian duo Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton have been on an epic trip to Asia and back, while several other players have been on duty for their countries.
Attention now turns to the game against Brighton later today. Howe must decide whether to stick with the side that beat Nottingham Forest in midweek or rest some of his travellers, ahead of the Champions League game against Benfica on Tuesday. It's a dilemma for the Magpies chief.
Our writers take a stab at what they believe will be the starting XI named by the Newcastle head coach for the trip to the Amex Stadium.
Lee Ryder
I've got a feeling that Eddie Howe will want the full power of his midfield included in this clash given Newcastle will want to restart with a bang. That said, Howe has just welcomed back Bruno and Joelinton from international duty and Sandro Tonali is also believed to have suffered a slight scrape.
True, Howe did rest Joelinton and Bruno at Bournemouth and has Jacob Ramsey standing by, but he will want to go strong.
I don't see Thiaw and Botman breaking up their partnership and Burn has done everything and more that has been asked of him at left-back.
Gordon and Elanga offer pace and hopefully better service for Woltemade in the front three.
Starting XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Joelinton, Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Gordon, Elanga, Woltemade
Sean McCormick
It's vital that Newcastle field a strong team at Brighton to try and continue the positive momentum they picked up in the wins over Union SG and Nottingham Forest.
Given injuries to Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, and the positive start Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman have made together, the back four should remain unchanged.
Howe has said Joelinton has a minor injury concern that shouldn't rule him out of the trip to Amex but with a hectic schedule and some big games on the horizon, it may be a good time to put summer signing Jacob Ramsey back in the team as he returns from an injury concern of his own.
The other big decision comes on the wings. Anthony Gordon's positive displays for England should see him retain his place on the left-wing but the decision on the right-wing is more complicated. Anthony Elanga has struggled in the Premier League and impressed in Europe so I would hand Jacob Murphy a start against Brighton and recall Elanga for Tuesday's visit of Benfica.
Starting XI: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey; Murphy, Gordon; Woltemade
Stuart Jamieson
Newcastle United cannot afford to go anything but full strength at the Amex, and I don't think for a second that Eddie Howe will take any risks.
While United won't under-estimate Benfica on Tuesday, there is more scope for change in that game, so provided Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton have shaken off the effects of their long-haul flight, I'm going with the same XI which started against Forest.
That means another chance for Nick Woltemade, Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga to build on their understanding as front three. We need to see more from the trio, but there are promising signs which can only develop with time on the pitch.
Starting XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Elanga, Gordon, Woltemade.
Ross Gregory
If there's even the slightest doubt over Joelinton, I'd be resting him. To be honest, I'd be giving his Brazilian buddy a breather too.
I understand the need to 'go strong' but Newcastle have enough strength in depth now to be able to rotate, especially after some pretty ridiculous travelling and the visit of Benfica on Tuesday night.
The back four picks itself and I'd stick with the same forward line, but Lewis Miley and Jacob Ramsey are good options in the midfield to give Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes a day off. They can always be called upon from the bench if needed.
Starting XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Tonali, Miley, Ramsey, Elanga, Gordon, Woltemade.
Content Image
Content Image