Newcastle United team news ahead of Champions League clash against Athletic Club
Newcastle United player Lewis Hall in training ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against Athletic Club
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Newcastle United turned in their worst performance of the season - and arguably one of the poorest in Eddie Howe's tenure - at West Ham United on Sunday. Now, they have a quick chance to put things right when Athletic Bilbao come to town.
The horror show in London has handed Howe a real dilemma. Does he stick with some of his under-performing big-name stars or ring the changes?
No one really could have any complaints if they lost their spot for tonight's Champions League tie at St James' Park. Our writers take a look at the decisions facing Howe and pick their starting XIs.
Lee Ryder
Newcastle are likely to shuffle the pack slightly again for the clash against Athletic Bilbao at St James' Park in the Champions League. The big poser for Howe will be whether he decides to give Nick Pope a rest given his troubles against West Ham.
Then there is the question of tinkering with his defensive rearguard with Kieran Trippier a slight doubt and Sven Botman out of sorts. Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth stand by for call-ups while Bruno Guimaraes is also facing a race against time to be fully fit. In attack, there could be a recall for Anthony Elanga.
A big step towards the automatic qualification places can be made if Howe and his stars get it right. Bilbao come into on the back of a derby defeat against Real Sociedad so this could be lively.
Lee's Newcastle team: Ramsdale, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Joelinton, Bruno, Tonali, Gordon, Elanga, Woltemade
Sean McCormick
The temptation after a damaging defeat like Newcastle suffered against West Ham is to make wholesale changes to the team. But I would only make three changes and retain faith in the majority of what most people perceived to be their strongest starting XI prior to the London Stadium debacle.
Kieran Trippier has recovered from illness so it is a no-brainer to put him in the team at right-back in place of Emil Krafth.
Dan Burn has played more minutes than any other outfield Newcastle player this season and he looked like a player in need of a rest against West Ham. If Lewis Hall is fit enough he should start at left-back.
And with Bruno Guimaraes suffering from illness, Eddie Howe should take heart from the fact Newcastle managed to win two games without Sandro Tonali starting when he had a bout of illness and not risk his captain. Lewis Miley is the most rested out of the options available to replace Guimaraes and he should get the nod in his place.
Sean's Newcastle team: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Miley, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Gordon; Woltemade
Ross Gregory
Not an easy one to pick, and I suspect Eddie Howe feels the same. Although he said in his media briefing that he was 'nearly there' with his team selection, there will have been a few dilemmas.
First of all, let me say that I have no doubt Nick Pope will start. Personally, I'd play Aaron Ramsdale but I can't see Howe leaving his No 1 out after one shaky performance. And in defence I think he will go with what has been, by and large, his tried and trusted back four, especially if Kieran Trippier has recovered from illness. Lewis Hall would be great to recall, with Dan Burn in desperate need of a break, but I just don't see the young left-back being fit enough yet.
Given how lethargic Newcastle were on Sunday however, and with the bug spreading around the squad, it feels like too much of a risk to include Bruno Guimaraes. And with Joelinton's scratchy form, a fresh-look midfield could be just the tonic.
In attack, you suspect Howe would love to rest Nick Woltemade but Will Osula's terrible cameo on Sunday means the German will have to go again. Jacob Murphy was one of the few plus points at West Ham and should retain his spot, while Anthony Gordon has excelled on the Champions League stage and gets the chance to put right his own horror show from the weekend.
Ross' Newcastle team: Ramsdale; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Miley, Tonali, Ramsey; Murphy, Gordon; Woltemade