After a day full of transfer rumours on Tyneside, it would be easy to forget we have a game to play tonight!
Eddie Howe’s Mags take on Tranmere in the second round of the Carabao Cup, with the game set to be shown live on Sky Sports (7.45pm kick off).
Callum Wilson (hamstring), Ryan Fraser (groin), Jonjo Shelvey (hamstring), Dan Burn (concussion) and Kell Watts (knee) have all been ruled out of this one, but Elliot Anderson has been tipped to make his first competitive start in a black and white shirt against the side he scored against during a loan spell last season.
Here’s the side we expect Eddie Howe to go with at Prenton Park, featuring NINE changes from Sunday’s 3-3 draw with Man City:
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Krafth, Lascelles, Botman, Dummett – Willock, S Longstaff, Anderson – Ritchie, Wood, Murphy.
In goal, Martin Dubravka should get a chance to remind Howe what he can do after losing his place in the Premier League, with the same applying to Jamaal Lascelles at centre-back.
Federico Fernandez could make a rare start if he’s managed to train this week, however Sven Botman could be the man to partner our club captain – especially when he started a few games alongside Lascelles over pre-season.
Emil Krafth seems the obvious choice at right-back, while Paul Dummett could come in down the left if Matt Targett misses out and Jamal Lewis isn’t deemed fit enough to start after playing no part in our pre-season friendlies.
In midfield, Sean Longstaff will surely come in after failing to start any of our opening three games so far, with Elliot Anderson also in line for his full debut against a side he scored against in April during that brilliant loan spell at Bristol Rovers.
Bruno and Joelinton are due a rest and must be protected after putting in a massive shift on Sunday, meaning Joe Willock may keep his place after he was taken off with 20 minutes to go over the weekend.
In attack, Jacob Murphy and Chris Wood seem fairly nailed on to start, with Wilson and Fraser out, and ASM unlikely to start three games in seven days. On the right, Miguel Almiron is the sort of supremely fit player who could play again, however Matt Ritchie may well come in down the right. He played this role a few times over pre-season and is capable of putting in some good crosses for Wood; who thrives on balls into the box.
How do you see us lining up? Let us know in the comments below!
