Eddie Howe has revealed that every player in his squad is in contention to play against Chelsea on Sunday ahead of our second away trip of the week at Stamford Bridge.
He admits that there were several “very tired bodies” in the NUFC dressing room after our 2-1 win at Southampton on Thursday night.
The Toon boss believes we’ll have to be “physically good” to compete with Chelsea, meaning rotation is likely against Thomas Tuchel’s side.
It remains to be seen if Allan Saint-Maximin (ill) or Joelinton (groin) will be able to return after missing out at St Mary’s, while Howe is hoping Bruno Guimaraes and Emil Krafth have suffered no more than cramp after limping off in midweek.
Either way, it would be no surprise to see the likes of Javier Manquillo, Sean Longstaff and Miguel Almiron play, with Jamaal Lascelles another who could return after Fabian Schar went down on several occasions holding his groin at Southampton.
Howe on making changes at Chelsea:
“Everyone in our squad is in contention to play.
“I think we will let the dust settle from this {Southampton] game. We’ll see how we are physically.
“There are some very tired bodies in the changing room. A bit of cramp in the squad with a couple of players as well.
“We’re going to have to be physically good against Chelsea so we might have to rotate.
“We’ll see and take it on an individual basis.”
Howe on Saint-Maximin and Joelinton:
“Allan was ill [on Thursday} and we’re unsure when he’ll return.
“Joe has had a groin problem since I came in. He’s had to manage it through games.
“Yesterday, it got too sore for him.
“We hope it’s not serious.”
Howe on Guimaraes:
“I think it’s cramp – I’m not 100% sure.
“His English is improving – but it’s not perfect – and I asked if he had cramp and he nodded his head.
“Hopefully it’s nothing serious.”
Howe on Krafth:
“Emil possibly has cramp – but we’re not sure.
“We’ll have to wait and see.”
Elsewhere, Newcastle will definitely be without Kieran Trippier (foot), Callum Wilson (calf) and Federico Fernandez (side strain) on Sunday.
