After a disappointing draw against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup earlier this month, Newcastle United will look to advance to the next round when both these sides meet in the 3rd round replay on Tuesday.
The Magpies are coming on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea and are not expected to take any risks against the Rovers.
Karl Darlow has been ruled out due to an injury as well as Paul Dummett while Mohamed Diame is a doubt after sustaining a hip injury earlier this month. Jonjo Shelvey has also been ruled out. Yoshinori Muto and Ki Sung-Yeung, on the other hand, will jet off to international duty.
Defence
Rafael Benitez is likely to revert to a four-man backline in this fixture and a slight shuffle will mean that Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark should make way for Fabian Schar. The Swiss international could partner Federico Fernandez at the heart of the Newcastle backline. Florian Lejeune has just returned from a knee injury and is unlikely to be risked twice in such a short span of time.
Benitez could refrain from giving the inexperienced Jamie Sterry another start this week. Therefore, DeAndre Yedlin might retain his place as the right-back while Javier Manquillo could deputize for the injured Dummett on the opposite flank.
Freddie Woodman can once again be selected as the man between the sticks for Newcastle. It will only be his second appearance of the campaign so far.
Midfield
Jonjo Shelvey and Mo Diame are out thus leaving Benitez short-staffed in midfield. Isaac Hayden should start once again in the double pivot. He will be partnered by Sean Longstaff who will be keen to impress.
Manquillo being deployed as the left-back will allow Matt Ritchie to return to his customary wide-midfield slot, where the former Bournemouth star will look to trouble the opposition defence with his sharp movements and direct play.
With Ritchie on the right, Jacob Murphy should start on the opposite flank while Ayoze Perez is expected to operate as the lone attacking midfielder for the Magpies this week.
Attack
The Newcastle attack could be led by Salomon Rondon, who is currently the club’s top scorer with five goals in the league. However, he needs to maintain his scoring form more often if he is to help his side achieve yet another solid comeback during the second half of the campaign. And a strong performance against Blackburn might help him gain some much-needed confidence.
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