Wolves (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line up and prediction

The international break is over and Premier League football is back this weekend, where Newcastle United begin a run of away games with a trip to Wolves.

So far, results have been positive. Two wins from three, seven points from a possible nine and a big win over Spurs a fortnight ago. However, it's fair to say performances haven't been particularly convincing, with themes being a lack of control and periods of sloppiness.

Points matter more than 'playing well' - this has been out best start to a season for 13 years - but there is a feeling that our performance levels have to improve to sustain that.

The international break has been a positive one with so many of our players scoring, assisting, winning and/or returning on a high and Joe Willock's injury isn't serious, but the fallout from a bad summer still lingers after Paul Mitchell's big interview last week that seems to have ruffled a few feathers.

Hopefully all of that can be put behind us soon and we do our talking on the pitch on Sunday.

Eddie Howe's pre-match comments

 “It [the international break] has been productive for us, some good training, I have been pleased. We gave the lads a rest and then started our preparation towards Wolves.”

On our start to the season, Howe added: “Very good results, really pleased with the start we have made in what is a difficult league. Performance wise, we haven’t hit top gear. We have done well in different passages of play but not consistently throughout the game. We are going into a spell where we have difficult games away from home now so we will look to improve.”

Howe then discusses Sunday's opponents: "A very tough start for Wolves. They played very well in their last game against Nottingham Forest. Always tough opponents, I have a lot of respect for Gary O’Neil and the job he has done. He is very tactically astute so we will be prepared for a tough game."

Team news

Fabian Schar is back from a ban, Joe Willock (thigh) has done light training, Emil Krafth has trained after missing Sweden's games, Callum Wilson still isn't fit and Lewis Miley (foot), Sven Botman (ACL) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) remain out.

Bruno Guimaraes came off at half-time in Brazil's 1-0 loss to Paraguay earlier this week, but Howe seems to think there's no problems there:

"We hope Bruno is OK. Joe [Willock] is improving; he has been training with the group this week albeit not full training. Positive signs for him. Callum [Wilson] is a little bit behind where we want him to be, we envisaged he might be training for the games coming up, but he is not there yet. Emil [Krafth] has been nursing a problem. We have seen him in training, he’s joined in the last couple of days, so we are hoping he will be fine."

Predicted line-up: (4-3-3) Pope – Livramento, Schar, Burn, Kelly – Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton – Gordon, Isak, Barnes.

At the back, Trippier may be pushing Livramento after the former has spent all of the international break training on Tyneside with Howe, but I think Tino keeps his place after no minutes for England and a superb display in our 2-1 win over Spurs.

I think we'll see Schar replace Krafth at centre-back. He's back from a ban and is the superior player when fit, especially for his ball-playing qualities. However, the fact Krafth has had an injury niggle over the break could make Howe's mind up, despite filling in brilliantly alongside Burn.

At left-back I think Howe will hand Kelly another start despite calls for Hall, who bagged two assists for England's U21s over the break. In midfield, I'd love to see Tonali come back in but I think Howe might just stick with Longstaff, for now.

In attack I'd expect to see the same front three of Gordon, Isak and Barnes, as all three should come into this one confident and ready to kick on. Gordon and Isak performed well for their country and Barnes has a goal and an assist in his last two Premier League appearances.

Prediction: Wolves 0-2 Newcastle

Five of our last six trips to Molineux have ended in a draw - four of which have been 1-1 - but I think we'll get the better of them this time.

Wolves have lost some key players over the summer in Max Kilman and Pedro Neto, they shipped six in their last home game against Chelsea and they've won just one of their last 13 Premier League games. I think we are playing them at a good time and am expecting an improved display and solid win after a positive international break for many of our players.

HWTL!