Newcastle United take on Man City at St James' Park on Saturday night and Eddie Howe has some big calls to make
Tino Livramento, left, with Fabian Schar, Bruno Guimaraes, Jacob Murphy and Kieran Trippier
Newcastle's Tino Livramento, left, with Fabian Schar, Bruno Guimaraes, Jacob Murphy and Kieran Trippier
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Eddie Howe is facing a major selection call against Manchester City tomorrow night with the return of Tino Livramento looking likely.
The former Chelsea and Southampton star is in contention to replace Kieran Trippier at right-back, with Lewis Hall almost certain to slot in at left-back, with Dan Burn suspended.
Burn's red card against Brentford means he serves a one-match ban, with Howe having no choice but to make an alteration in his defence.
Trippier's inclusion is one of four burning questions facing Howe this weekend.
Is it time to give Kieran Trippier a rest?
Dropping Trippier to the bench would be a big decision given his leadership and organisation skills.
But with a Champions League clash in Marseille also on the horizon, it may make sense to take advantage of the chance to indulge in some squad rotation. Trippier knows he has a battle on his hands to get past Livramento when he is fully fit.
That said, Livramento has only been fielded as a right-back once this term, and it was the game he was injured in against Arsenal during the 2-1 defeat. But with Burn suspended, it feels like the obvious choice to start both Hall and Tino against Man City.
Bring in Aaron Ramsdale?
Ramsdale made his Premier League debut against Brentford when he came on to replace Nick Pope. Pope is back now after passing the concussion protocols and getting clearance to play.
But what does Ramsdale need to do in order to start a Premier League game? Howe may see fit to bring Pope back in and use Ramsdale away to Marseille.
After some mixed form, some fans feel Ramsdale is worthy of his chance, not least after a sparkling performance last month against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup.
Anthony Elanga call to be made
The winger was pulled out of Sweden's squad to face Slovenia earlier in the week due to personal problems. However, Newcastle are expecting Elanga to be available against Man City.
Whether he earns a start against the eight-times Premier League winners remains to be seen. Jacob Murphy has been getting game-time ahead of him with his £55m move from Nottingham Forest yet to explode.
Elanga has no goals and no assists to his name in the Premier League, while Murphy has netted twice and made one assist. On form, Murphy gets the nod.
Anthony Gordon to walk straight back into team
Whatever your views are on Gordon, Newcastle seem more effective when he's in the team for the big games. He has torn it up in the Champions League with four goals and one assist. And he played his part in two Premier League victories over Nottingham Forest and Fulham.
After recovering from a hip injury, which kept him out of England's triumphs over Serbia and Albania, Gordon will now be looking to get back in on the act in the Premier League. Gordon has scored twice in this fixture at St James' Park against the Citizens and will be keen to get his first Prem goal of the campaign.