Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has confirmed his starting XI to face Brighton as the Magpies return to Premier League action with a tricky clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Howe’s side are looking to pick up their first Premier League win in four games and host a Seagulls side at St James’ Park that start the weekend one place above them in the table, with the two sides level on goal difference.
The Magpies had a number of injury questions marks over the international break, with Howe revealing in his Friday press conference that while Callum Wilson remains out of contention, his fellow striker Alexander Isak had returned to training.
And Isak does indeed return to the starting line-up after having been absent since the 3-1 defeat to Fulham with a broken toe.
Newcastle United’s starting XI as Isak returns while Minteh absent for Brighton
Howe has been able to name Isak in his starting line-up, which means Anthony Gordon moves back out wide, while Jacob Murphy is preferred to Harvey Barnes in the other wide position. Tino Livramento comes in for Kieran Trippier, who has a hamstring injury.
Perhaps the biggest surprise in the two teams’ squads today is the omission of former Newcastle winger Yankuba Minteh, who does not even make the bench, meaning he misses out on his a return to St James’ Park.
The Seagulls make three changes to their side that beat Tottenham last time out, with Igor Julio, Yasin Ayari and Evan Ferguson all coming in, while Adam Webster and Kaoru Mitoma drop to the bench.
Newcastle United XI: Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali; Gordon, Isak, Murphy.
Subs: Vlachodimos, Kelly, Krafth, Longstaff, Willock, Miley, Almiron, Barnes, Osula.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Veltman, Julio, Dunk, Kadioglu, Rutter, Baleba, Ayari, Hinshelwood, Wellbeck, Ferguson.
Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Gruda, Enciso, Moder, Mitoma, Wieffer, Van Hecke, Estupinan.
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