The team sheets are in at St James’ Park, where Newcastle United take on Chelsea in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.
Here’s the side Eddie Howe has gone with ahead of the 7.45pm kick-off:
STARTING XI: Pope: Krafth, Schär (c), Kelly, Hall; Tonali, Longstaff, Willock; Gordon, Isak, Joelinton.
SUBS: Dubravka, Barnes, Osula, Livramento, Almiron, Burn, A.Murphy, Bruno, Miley.
Anthony Gordon has passed a fitness test and returns to the side, with Howe making FIVE changes from Sunday.
IN – Kelly, Krafth, Longstaff, Willock, Gordon. OUT – Livramento, Burn, Bruno G, Almiron, Barnes.
Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles all miss out, as expected, while Martin Dubravka is back on the bench after recovering from a knock to his knee in the last round of the cup.
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Disasi, Tosin, Badiashile, Cucurella; Veiga, Fernandez; Dewsbury-Hall, Joao Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku.
Last 16 fixtures, results and numbers:
- 1 – *Brentford 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday (Brentford won on penalties)
- 2 – *Southampton 3-2 Stoke
- 3 – Aston Villa or Crystal Palace
- 4 – Brighton or Liverpool
- 5 – Manchester United or Leicester
- 6 – Newcastle or Chelsea
- 7 – Preston or Arsenal
- 8 – Tottenham or Man City
Howay the lads!
Their 2nd eleven shows how far ahead of us and much work we need to do over the next 5 or 10 years.
All the clubs outside the toxic six should be more worried about that than stifling the progress of a few trying to make inroads.
Joseph(Quote)
Newcastle’s lineup has some interesting changes! Seeing Gordon back is a boost, and Howe’s faith in Kelly and Krafth adds defensive variety. The absence of regular starters like Trippier and Wilson means it’s a real test against Chelsea’s strong squad. Snow rider brings classic football gameplay to mobile, mixing team management with simple, nostalgic controls.
Felton Rolfson(Quote)