Eddie Howe faces more selection issues for tonight's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City
Lewis Miley and Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United
Newcastle United's Lewis Miley and Nick Woltemade(Image: Getty Images)
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Newcastle United are now firmly in the middle of their January fixture blitz, with more huge games on the horizon in the coming days, starting with tonight's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City.
With more injury issues to address Eddie Howe must again try to find a delicate balance between keeping his team fresh through rotation and ensuring the starting XI is strong enough to deal with the latest challenge.
United could look to the January transfer window to help boost Howe's squad, but for now he must deal with the players he has available, and there is likely to be some changes from the side which started Saturday's FA Cup tie with Bournemouth.
Nick Pope and Anthony Gordon are pressing for a recall, while the United head coach must decide what role in-form Lewis Miley plays.
With that in mind, here are the sides our team of NUFC writers would pick for tonight's game, and your chance to pick your starting XI.
Lee Ryder
This is a huge night for Newcastle United and it calls for some huge decisions. I'd bring back Nick Pope for this one simply because of the big-game magnitude.
Aaron Ramsdale looked shaky in the 90 minutes and extra time against AFC Bournemouth and while he was the hero on penalties, that won't be a factor against City. Pope will bring calmness back to the defensive rearguard.
Kieran Trippier's experience will be vital again for the Magpies. That was the case last season in the semi-finals against Arsenal and the final itself against Liverpool. I'd still keep Lewis Miley in the XI and I feel that Sandro Tonali needs a rest after 120 minutes against the Cherries.
There's no Anthony Gordon for me. Harvey Barnes to start on the left and Jacob Murphy back in on the right with Yoane Wissa up front, please.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Miley, Joelinton, Guimaraes, Barnes, Murphy, Wissa.
Sean McCormick
Newcastle have some big decisions to make with their starting XI and that starts in goal. Aaron Ramsdale has started every domestic cup game this season but in a game with this importance, Nick Pope, as the number one goalkeeper, has to be given the gloves.
The Magpies are down to the bare bones defensively but Lewis Miley should continue at right-back in place of Kieran Trippier. Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall, as the only other fit defenders, should make up the rest of the back four.
Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton should get the nod in midfield, with Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon on the wings. Given Nick Woltemade played 120 minutes in the FA Cup win over Bournemouth, Yoane Wissa should be the fresher option from the star up front.
My NUFC XI: Pope; Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Barnes, Gordon; Wissa
Ross Gregory
The only real dilemma is at right-back. You'd have had extraordinarily long odds at the start of the season if you'd said Lewis Miley would be keeping Kieran Trippier out of a cup semi-final in that position, but here we are.
Trippier understandably looked off the pace and Miley has been a revelation on the right side of defence so it turns into a relatively easy decision. Elsewhere, the team picks itself for me. Yoane Wissa, Harvey Barnhes and Anthony Gordon are all in good form and look a threat.
I worry about Sven Botman's fitness so soon after playing 120 minutes but he will have to go again. Keep your fingers and toes crossed.
My NUFC XI: Pope; Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Barnes, Gordon; Wissa
Stuart Jamieson
It was Rafa Benitez that used the 'short blanket' phrase to describe how addressing one issue can leave you short elsewhere, and it feels apt here. Does Eddie Howe rest players tonight and risk their chances of reaching the Carabao Cup final, or change things for Sunday's Premier League game with bottom side Wolves . . . who are starting to look dangerous.
Then there's the small matter of PSV on the horizon. It feels like Howe cannot win either way, so I'm going for a strong side tonight. While Kieran Trippier brings big-game experience, I would rather see Lewis Miley at right-back, which means Sandro Tonali must once again start in the centre of midfield. The Italian needs a rest, but I would give him that at the weekend.
United must take their chances, so I'll go for the forward line of Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Yoane Wissa, with Nick Woltemade saved for the weekend, along with Jacob Ramsey, who probably had his best game for United against Bouremouth.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Gordon, Barnes, Wissa.
Pick your NUFC XI
Now you've read our sides, it's your turn to pick the XI you would send out tonight. Simply drag the players into the position you want to create your team and formation, and we'll collate the most popular side.
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