Eddie Howe needs a strong squad available to him as soon as possible
Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon arrives at St James' Park
Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
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Eddie Howe is set to make some late calls in key Newcastle United players ahead of this evening's game with Manchester City at St James' Park.
The Magpies return to Premier League action looking to atone for two consecutive away defeats before the international break, but will have their work cut out against a Man City side who are in excellent form.
Newcastle have struggled with injuries to important players so far this season, and while Howe will not use that as an excuse as to why his side have struggled with consistency this term, he knows it's vital he has a large a squad to pick from as possible if they are to cope with the forthcoming fixture list.
United are now entering a two month period which will see games come thick and fast until the end of January, and while injuries are inevitable, the more options Howe has to operate with, the better Newcastle's chances of re-entering the race at the top end of the Premier League table.
"This is going to be our busiest time of the season," Howe said ahead of today's game.
"It's relentless over the Christmas period, and that's when we need all of the players who are currently working their way back to fitness, ideally back, so we have a full, healthy squad to share the burden in the coming weeks."
To that end, Howe has confirmed Nick Pope has recovered from the concussion suffered against Brentford, while Sandro Tonali return from international duty with Italy with no issues.
Joelinton is expected to have recovered from a gash on the leg, while Lewis Hall picked up valuable minutes for England Under-21s and is set to start in place of the suspended Dan Burn.
He is joined on the sidelines by strikers Yoane Wissa and Will Osula, neither of whom are ready to join the squad at this stage, although Wissa's debut could come in the next few weeks.
All eyes will be on whether Anthony Gordon and Tino Livrmaento are passed fit to be involved. Gordon is 50-50 after continuing to recover from a hip problem, while Livramento is on course to return after eight weeks out with a knee injury.
"Ant is very close," Howe said of Gordon. "He has worked very hard over the break. He is touch-and-go for the game, and we will make a decision on him today."
Man City will travel north without two midfielders, with Rodri and Mateo Kovavic ruled out through injury.
City boss Pep Guardiola said yesterday: "Everybody is fit except Kova and Rodri," he said. "Rodri is making good steps.
"It's almost three weeks since he made the last little step back. He knows that we have to take real time to recover fine, recover well, mentally and especially physically from the problems he had, to be consistent from now on until the end."
Newcastle United squad vs Manchester City: Pope, Ramsdale, Ruddy, Trippier, Livramento, Schar, Thiaw, Botman, Lascelles, Hall, Krafth, Tonali, Guimaraes, Miley, Joelinton, Willock, Ramsey, J Murphy, Elanga, Gordon, Barnes, Woltemade.