A big hint from Howe? – The Newcastle front three likely to start vs Leeds

A key theme of Eddie Howe’s press conference on Tuesday morning was his latest update on injuries and fitness as we approach tonight’s game with Leeds; our second game in four days to start 2026.

Howe revealed that a ‘late call’ will be made on Jacob Murphy, who has avoided an injury but is managing muscle fatigue in his hamstring, which explains why he was replaced by Joe Willock during Sunday’s 2-0 win over Palace.

Anthony Elanga was then ruled out by Howe, meaning we have one right winger absent and another who may need to be managed this week in Murphy.

With that in mind, the boss was then asked about Harvey Barnes’ ability to play down our right side, offering a surprisingly open answer that also highlighted how reluctant Anthony Gordon is to switch to that flank.

As Howe states below, he’s more than happy to play Barnes down the right, and it feels like a likely switch tonight given Murphy’s fatigue and Elanga’s absence through injury:

“I don’t think Anthony enjoys the playing on the right. I think Harvey is a lot more open to it and quite enjoys the freedom that the position gives him with our way of playing.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean I can’t play Anthony out there but if a player doesn’t really want to play in that position I think it’s a difficult one to force a player to do it because I don’t think you’ll get the same kind of performances.

“Harvey’s a player that’s played across the midfield. He’s very good in the lines and between spaces so I’m quite happy to play Harvey there. I think his number one position is the left and I know where he would ideally like to play but he’s a goal threat off both sides and the stats would back that up.

“He’s been really good off both flanks this year. He’s just a very good all-round player and he turned the game for us on Sunday.”

So, I think we can expect Gordon and Barnes to start when the team sheets come out at 7pm, with Nick Woltemade also our pick to return up top.

Yoanne Wissa starting three games in eight days feels unlikely to me, so I think we can expect to see Big Nick leading the line again, with Gordon to his left and Barnes to his right.