Predicted Newcastle team vs Fulham – TWO changes & a Premier League debut?

With today’s final day clash with Fulham just a few hours away, it’s time to predict the starting 11 Steve Bruce will go with at Craven Cottage come 4pm.

Keeping form, injuries and our midweek win over Sheffield United in mind, here’s the side I can see him selecting and why:

(5-3-2): Gillespie – Murphy, Schar, Fernandez, Dummett, Ritchie – Willock, Shelvey (c), Almiron – Saint-Maximin, Joelinton.

Dubravka and Krafth OUT? – Gillespie and Schar IN?

Dubravka may well make it, but I see no point in risking a player who clearly tweaked his hamstring just a few days ago. One goal kick struck slightly wrong and he’s out of the Euros, so let’s give former Academy graduate Mark Gillespie his Premier League debut?

In defence, Krafth has actually done little wrong since coming in, helping us to a clean sheet in midweek and scoring against City, however he’s not a centre-back and one of our best ones is available again in Fabian Schar. He’d been out for a while before his ban and will want minutes before the Euros – not to mention the fact he’s well suited to a five-man defence.

Elsewhere, it sounds like ASM will be ok to play – a player we can’t really do without when Wilson is missing – however it remains to be seen if Elliot Anderson will feature. It would be nice to see our best U23 get his Premier League debut – especially when Bruce denied him a Championship loan move to give him exactly that!

If he’s not involved, hopefully we see a glimpse of forgotten man Matty Longstaff for the first time since January, with him being another local lad in need of game time.

How do you see us lining up later? Let us know in the comments below!

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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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