The Magpies drew 2-2 with La Liga side Espanyol last night, with Howe naming 11 changes to ensure all his players have a good amount of minutes in the tank ahead of next Saturday’s Premier League opener away to Aston Villa.
Elanga makes his home debut after signing from Nottingham Forest for £55million last month. He starts on the right wing with Harvey Barnes on the left, with Anthony Gordon through the middle.
Gordon leads the line for Newcastle and is set to do so at Villa Park next Saturday with Howe admitting there is little chance of wantaway striker Alexander Isak appearing.
Isak wants to join Premier League champions Liverpool and has been training away from his teammates this week.
Speaking about Isak’s situation, Howe said: “We've had discussions and it's clear at the moment that we can't involve him with the group. So, yeah, I don't know how long that will be for. That's the latest.
“He's here, of course he has a future at Newcastle. Certainly from our perspective, everyone connected with the club, we would love to see him back with the team. But the situation has to be right for that time.
“I'd want Alex to be playing today. I'd want him training tomorrow. We would love the player to be with us. Let me make that absolutely clear, there is no part of me that doesn’t want that outcome. But I don’t see that changing [the current situation] before Aston Villa.”
Meanwhile, Sven Botman returns after two matches out with a groin injury, partnering Jamaal Lascelles at centre-back.
Pope will start the campaign as No.1 but faces stiff competition from Aaron Ramsdale.
1. GK: Nick Pope
Pope will start the campaign as No.1 but faces stiff competition from Aaron Ramsdale. | Getty Images
Ashby makes his first St James' Park start, two-and-a-half-years after joining from West Ham United.
2. RB: Harrison Ashby
Ashby makes his first St James' Park start, two-and-a-half-years after joining from West Ham United. | Getty Images
Lascelles will be delighted to get a full pre-season under his belt having only recently recovered from an ACL injury.
3. CB: Jamaal Lascelles
Lascelles will be delighted to get a full pre-season under his belt having only recently recovered from an ACL injury. | AFP via Getty Images
Botman missed the two games in South Korea due to a thigh issue but Howe has told NewcastleWorld that the Dutchman is fit.
4. CB: Sven Botman
Botman missed the two games in South Korea due to a thigh issue but Howe has told NewcastleWorld that the Dutchman is fit. | Getty Images