Howe issues early team news ahead of Brentford clash – Two late calls & one ruled out

Eddie Howe has issued a fitness update ahead of tomorrow’s crucial clash with Brentford at St James’ Park.

The new boss has revealed that he’ll make late calls on Martin Dubravka and Miguel Almiron, while Paul Dummett has been ruled out with an ongoing calf injury.

Dubravka played his first game of 2021/22 in midweek while away on international duty with Slovakia, leaving how with a “tough call to make” as to who will start in goal.

As for Almiron, he’s only just returned from World Cup qualifiers in South America and will train in front of Howe for the first time today.

With that in mind, he seems unlikely to start tomorrow, however it seems we’re heading into tomorrow’s game with just one player ruled out in Paul Dummett.

Here’s what Howe told the press this morning when asked for some early team news:

“I’ve seen all the internationals bar Miguel (Almiron), who I’ll see today.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him.

“Dúbravka played in midweek but it was his first game in a long time so I have a tough call to make.

“We have Dummett out injured but everyone else is OK.”

One thing’s for sure, all eyes will be on the team sheet come 2pm Saturday, with this set to be arguably the most eagerly anticipated starting 11’s we’ve seen in a long time on Tyneside.

How would you like to see us line up for Eddie Howe’s first game in charge tomorrow?