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Yoane Wissa gets nod to lead Newcastle line vs Liverpool as Matthias Jaissle eyes options

Newcastle United have a number of selection options - but who is in the frame for season opener?

Matthias Jaissle

Matthias Jaissle has some big selection decisions to make

It's now just 19 days until Newcastle United's season gets under way when Liverpool arrive at St James' Park to kick off the Premier League campaign.

The transfer window will stay open for another week after that curtain-raiser, but all eyes will be focused on that showdown with Andoni Iraola's side on Tyneside.

Whether Bruno Guimaraes will lead United out remains the burning question, but new head coach Matthias Jaissle has plenty of other team selection dilemmas to address on top of the Brazilian's involvment.

How many of the five new signings will feature in that opening XI, and which of the current crop can force their way into his plans before the big day?

Our NUFC team have picked the strongest starting Newcastle XI from the squad as things stand - with your chance to pick your team.

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Lee Ryder

The Magpies have started to get their defensive rearguard up and running with the arrival of Lukas Hornicek but they will need more steel if they can't get Tino Livarmento fit and ready for the start of the season.

My pairing in the middle is Malick Thiaw and Dan Burn fresh from the World Cup as based on pre-season, Sven Botman looks way off the pace.

Lewis Hall is an exceptional talent at Newcastle that Jaissle must keep and for my money Bruno Guimaraes should not be sold - at any price - especially if there are no replacements of his experience ready to come in.

Bamba goes straight into the team and Harvey Barnes' experience is now key, with Wissa and Woltemade surely better for a pre-season under their belts.

William Osula is my danger man to come off the bench along with Toure.

MY NUFC XI: Hornicek, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Bruno, Bamba, Miley, Barnes, Wissa, Woltemade

Newcastle United's Lukas Hornicek

Newcastle United goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek

Sean McCormick

Matthias Jaissle has played in a 4-2-3-1 and it remains to be seen how he will set up next season but if he replicates that at Newcastle it could be good news for Nick Woltemade in the number 10 position.

Lukas Hornicek will start in goal, with Tino Livramento, Malick Thiaw and Lewis Hall locked in the back four. The big decision is whether to go with Sven Botman or Dan Burn at left-sided centre-half but I am still of the mind Burn is more reliable.

The midfield pairing of Bruno Guimaraes, should he stay, and Lewis Miley is exciting and youngsters Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba are able deputies from the bench.

Bazoumana Toure has shown at his previous clubs he can hit the ground running and should be trusted to start on the right, with Harvey Barnes looking to build on a 16-goal season last term. Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy offer genuine wide options from the bench and Joelinton and Jacob Ramsey can be used as midfielders, 10s or left-wingers, too.

Will Osula ended the season strongly but if Yoane Wissa can carry his World Cup form in to next season and rediscover his Brentford form then he could finally prove his worth in his second season on Tyneside.

MY NUFC XI: Hornicek; Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Bruno, Miley, Toure, Woltemade, Barnes; Wissa

Ross Gregory

We have seen so little of the new boys, know very little about the manager and his style of play, and don't know if the captain will be around for the start of the season. Apart from that though, it's an easy job to pick the team. Whose bright idea was this?

Based on what I do know and what the squad is right now, I'd opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation. Hornicek has to get the nod, even though I've never seen him play. In defence, I'd like to see a new right-back but failing that, it has to be Tino Livramento or Lewis Miley, whichever is fittest come the start of the season. Dan Burn gets the nod over Sven Botman who has looked disastrous so far.

The two midfielders would be Bruno Guimaraes, providing he is still here, and Miley - unless he's at right-back, and then Aladji Bamba will have to come in. Sean Steur looks tidy but way off physically.

In front of them, Woltemade as a No 10 flanked by Anthony Elanga on the right and Bazoumana Toure on the left. That's harsh on Jacob Ramsey, who could play in any of those three positions.

Up top, William Osula still doesn't convince me but he's the man in possession.

MY NUFC XI: Hornicek, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Miley, Guimaraes; Elanga, Woltemade, Toure; Osula

Stuart Jamieson

Matthias Jaissle has plenty of decisions to make before naming his starting line-up against Liverpool, and that's even without contemplating a squad without Bruno Guimaraes.

As things stand, the Brazilian has to be the main man in midfield, with Aladji Bamba in the holding role. I'm interested to see what Sean Steur brings to the side, but Lewis Miley has deserved his chance to become a first-team regular.

The big question in defence is whether Dan Burn starts ahead of Sven Botman, and the fact it's not an easy choice says everything about Botman's drop in form. I'm sticking with the Dutchman, but we know Burn doesn't let anyone down.

Up top, surely this is the time for Yoane Wissa to take his chance? It can't go any worse than it did last season for the DR Congo striker, but he has to show something in pre-season. Bazoumana Toure and Harvey Barnes can provide the width.

In goal, Lukas Hornicek was signed as a first-team keeper so much be handed the shirt.

MY NUFC XI: Hornicek, Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Bamba, Miley, Guimaraes, Toure, Barnes, Wissa.

Pick your XI

Here's your chance to pick your NUFC XI from the current squad - plus select new signings to fill key positions. Simply select the 'new' option in the relevant poisition in your side.

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