The Mail’s Craig Hope has revealed the defender in line to partner Dan Burn for Saturday’s early kick-off at Spurs and a double fitness boost for Eddie Howe heading into our trip to North London.

He reports that both Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier could feature in this weekend’s lunchtime game, handing Howe a timely boost with Fabian Schar set to miss the next two games through suspension; one in the league and another in Tuesday’s cup semi-final first-leg at Arsenal.

However, despite good news on Botman and Trippier’s availability, it’s believed Lloyd Kelly is in line to replace Schar and partner Dan Burn in the heart of the Newcastle defence this weekend.

Kelly hasn’t featured since struggling in our 2-0 defeat at home to West Ham back in November, but could be tasked with stopping Solanke, Son and Kulusevski, with Botman unlikely to be thrown straight back in from the start after nine months out.

Double boost ahead of Spurs clash

In his latest Newcastle Confidential piece for The Mail, Hope reveals that Botman has recovered from the illness that kept him out of the squad against Manchester United and declared himself fit to play.

However, it’s thought he is more likely to feature from the bench in our next two games before starting our FA Cup clash with at home to Bromley a week on Sunday.

Trippier meanwhile looks to be fit after his 60 minute cameo on Monday night; a relief for Eddie Howe after initial fears he had pulled up with a hamstring injury.

Hope writes “The Dutch centre back has overcome illness in recent days and, while a first start is likely to be delayed until the visit of Bromley in the FA Cup third round a week on Sunday, we should expect to see him among the substitutes at the very least in the next two matches.”

Regarding the right back position, given the short space of time between games, Howe is reported to be rotating between Trippier and usual starter Tino Livramento for the next two games.