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Eddie Howe makes some surprise changes - Newcastle United team news to take on Athletic Bilbao

**Newcastle United are in Champions League action tonight under the lights at St James' Park with Athletic Club providing the opposition. Kick-off is at 8pm, live on TNT Sports.**

After Sunday's game at West Ham and the level of performance in it, Eddie Howe could easily have made 11 changes tonight, and nobody would have blamed him.

However, Howe has managed to resist the urge to go wild with the changes, starting a very familiar starting XI overall.

The two changes Howe has made, however, are bringing in Harvey Barnes to replace Sunday's goal scorer, Jacob Murphy and restoring Kieran Trippier to the defence.

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Eddie Howe kept the changes to a minimum

Bruno Guimaraes starts despite being ill after Sunday's game

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Bruno Guimaraes obviously recovered enough from his illness that Howe felt comfortable putting him in the team from the start tonight, but he's going to be one to keep an eye on.

Howe named Jacob Murphy as one of the players who had picked up the sickness bug sweeping the camp, which could explain why he was dropped to the bench tonight in favour of Harvey Barnes.

We were quite shocked to see Joelinton in the starting lineup tonight. We felt that if anyone would feel the full force of the Eddie Howe axe, it would be the Brazilian.

Howe has given out plenty of second chances tonight

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Howe spoke about offering those who played on Sunday the chance to put things right tonight, and it shows the faith he has in his players that he's gone down that route.

Let's just hope the gamble pays off and the lads can put in a performance tonight.

It's a strong side we've put out and one that is capable of a result, but we thought that on Sunday, too. At least the Nico Williams rumours were true, and we don't have him to deal with tonight.

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