Nick Woltemade will get the chance to prove his worth to Matthias Jaissle and Newcastle United tonight.
Speculation in recent days has centred around whether the £64million man could leave the Magpies. Toon sources have consistently downplayed the suggestion that Woltemade could leave amid reported Borussia Dortmund interest.
As it stands, he is focused on booking Newcastle a spot in the Carabao Cup third round. Jaissle has made six changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Liverpool at the weekend.
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Ewen Jaouen starts between the sticks for the first time in a competitive fixture. The Frenchman - signed for £20million in June - impressed with two penalty saves in the pre-season defeat to Strasbourg.
Amar Dedic, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall complete the backline. In midfield, Jacob Ramsey will be aiming to impress after being snubbed for two youngsters on Sunday.
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Sean Steur also anchors the engine room, with Joe Willock, Bazoumana Toure and Jacob Murphy behind Woltemade in attack. Speaking pre-match, Jaissle promised to give the youngsters a chance if needed, so expect to see fresh faces if Newcastle find themselves in a strong position here tonight.
“As much as possible, I want to see the young lads (and) their talents,” he told reporters. “You get a good feeling how they’re developing and if they’re getting close to the Premier League.
“But also it depends on what happens in the transfer market. It’s always a bit of a balance, training with us but also they need to get game time to develop. We need to be smart in the decision making at the end of the transfer window.”
Newcastle United XI to face West Bromwich Albion
Jaouen; Dedic. Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Steur, Ramsey, Willock; Murphy, Toure, Woltemade
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