According to the Chronicle, Steve Bruce could make big changes ahead of Sunday’s game with Manchester United after the club’s dismal 5-0 defeat at Leicester last weekend.
As a result, the Chronicle’s Ciaran Kelly has tipped Federico Fernandez, DeAndre Yedlin and Allan Saint-Maximin to be handed start on Sunday, saying all are ‘in contention’ to come into the side with Bruce certain to make changes.
The return of Saint-Maximin and Yedlin could give us some much needed pace and drive, while a start for Fernandez would also be justified given how solid he was in our Carabao Cup clash with Leicester in August.
These may not be the only changes Bruce will make ahead of Sunday’s game with Man Utd, however, with Isaac Hayden set to be replaced as he begins his three-match ban.
With Shelvey injured and Hayden banned, Bruce will also be forced into changes in midfield too.
Ki Sung-yeung seems the most likely option to come in, with Matty Longstaff being the only other central midfield option available to us this weekend.
Elsewhere, the return of Matt Ritchie would be huge if he can return to training this week, while the fitness of Jetro Willems is yet to be reported on after he missed out at Leicester with a ‘knee injury’.
