Predicted NUFC side to start vs Oxford tonight – 6 changes & a few U-23’s to feature?

A place in the last 16 awaits – but what team will Steve Bruce select ahead of tonight’s FA Cup replay down south?

Rose and Lazaro aren’t eligible and Shelvey, Carroll, Gayle, Manquillo, Krafth, Muto and Dummett are all out injured and Dubravka is set to be rested, but Bruce has already confirmed that Schar, Lejeune and the two Longstaff’s will return to his starting 11 for this one.

With fitness, form and injuries in mind, we think this could be something like the side that starts at the Kassam Stadium:

Predicted NUFC XI – (3-4-2-1): Darlow – Schar, Lascelles, Lejeune – Yedlin, S Longstaff, M Longstaff, Ritchie – Almiron, Atsu – Joelinton.

OUT – Dubravka, Fernandez, Clark, Bentaleb, Hayden, Saint-Maximin.

IN – Darlow, Schar, Lejeune, M Longstaff, S Longstaff Atsu.

In goal, it’s been confirmed that Dubravka hasn’t travelled, meaning Darlow looks set for another FA Cup run out.

At centre-back, Lejeune and Schar are set to start, and look likely to play either side of skipper Jamaal Lascelles.

At wing-back, Yedlin came off early on Saturday so should be fresh (although Lazaro would’ve been nailed on if he was able to play here), while Ritchie seems our only option down the left given Willems is crocked and Rose ineligible.

In the middle, Bruce has already confirmed that the two Longstaff’s will start, but the situation is less clear out wide, with Almiron ‘close to burning out’ and Saint-Maximin ‘not 100%’ according to Bruce.

Atsu looks set to start with ASM expected to be rested after not looking 100% at the weekend, while youngster Tom Allan could get a few minutes from the bench late on.

Up top, Joelinton is another who needs a break badly, but he also needs a goal, so he’s almost certain to start again given he’s our only fit striker while Carroll, Gayle and Muto remain injured.

How do you see us lining up tonight?

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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