Newcastle are back in action tonight, taking on Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup fifth round at Ewood Park.
Here’s the side I think Eddie Howe could go with for the 8pm kick-off live on BBC One:
Predicted XI – Karius – Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Miley – Murphy, Isak, Barnes.
This is a tough one. Will Howe throw a few fit-again players straight into the side, stick by his guns or drop a few underperforming stars who struggled on Saturday?
Starting in goal, it sounds like Dubravka may not recover from illness in time. Even if he does, I’d argue that Karius deserves another shot after some decent stops on Saturday.
I can see Burn returning at left-back and wouldn’t be surprised if Botman is given a night off after his stinker at the Emirates, allowing Lascelles to come in alongside Schar.
Willock is a tricky one. Howe will be so tempted to start him, but I think he’ll be used from the bench and saved for Wolves on Saturday, as our current midfield three should have enough to beat Blackburn. If they don’t, he is an ideal option from the bench.
In attack, I think we could see Barnes and Murphy out wide, with Isak or Gordon leading the line. Can Isak start three games in seven days after his groin issues? I’m not sure and (like Willock) we’ll need him against Wolves. However, Howe may feel he could play an hour again as he did at Arsenal.
We must manage recent injuries carefully to stop them reoccurring, but we also want our best players on the pitch for a potentially season-defining game.
A slight understatement Olly “drop a few underperforming stars from Saturday”😂
That would be the three in midfield, two central defenders, the right winger and that’s being kind.
Realistically the F.A Cup is our only chance of getting into Europe, hope the players realise it and show a bit more intensity and passion.
Joseph(Quote)
Haha, true! But Howe can’t drop the entire team! 😂
Olly Hawkins(Quote)