After a much-needed international break for Newcastle United, Premier League football returns this weekend as Chelsea come to St James’ Park on Saturday.
The latest team news based on reports over the past 48 hours is Alexander Isak (groin) and Miguel Almiron (hamstring) are expected to be fit, while Sean Longstaff is a ‘doubt’ as he recovers from a swollen ankle picked up in our 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth two weeks ago.
Kieran Trippier is expected to play despite withdrawing from the England squad for personal reasons and Fabian Schar should be OK after he was rested by Switzerland over the break. However, the likes of Sven Botman, Callum Wilson, Elliot Anderson, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Sandro Tonali remain absent, with Lewis Hall also ineligible against his parent club.
With all of that in mind and Bruno back from a one-game ban, this could well be the side we see on Saturday:
Potential Newcastle XI: Pope – Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Livramento – Willock, Bruno, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Longstaff shakes off that ankle knock. If so, he’d surely keep his place in midfield, meaning one of Joelinton or Willock may miss out. Time will tell, but we could have a few key players back against the Blues.
