Newcastle United face West Ham United on Saturday evening, with Eddie Howe hoping his side don’t suffer a Carabao Cup hangover in the Premier League.
The Magpies must be on cloud nine right now. They are going to Wembley later this month, where they will face Manchester United in the League Cup final.
But Howe’s side have three games between now and the final, and must continue to keep pace in the race to qualify for the Champions League.
David Moyes’ side will present a tricky task for Newcastle, who have not lost a home game since April last year.
Howe will have new signings available, and this is our predicted Newcastle starting lineup to face West Ham
Harrison Ashby on the bench for Newcastle
New recruit Harrison Ashby is available to make his Newcastle debut, but will almost certainly start on the bench.
There is no chance he is going to replace Kieran Trippier so soon. Instead, the 21-year-old will be spending his days learning from the England international before eventually taking his place a few years down the line.
But with Javi Manquillo out injured, Ashby will provide immediate backup for Trippier against West Ham – the club Newcastle bought him from for £3million. It would be a surreal experience if he made his Toon debut against his former employer.
Joelinton changes position against West Ham
Howe will be forced into one change on Saturday night, with Bruno Guimaraes suspended. The midfielder will miss Newcastle’s next three games after being sent off against Southampton in the Carabao Cup semi final.
It is a huge blow for the Magpies, but the only saving grace is that Bruno will be back for the final.
In his absence, Howe will have to tweak his midfield, and his options are limited after the club failed to sign a Jonjo Shelvey replacement during the January transfer window.
Elliot Anderson is a candidate to come in, but the most likely outcome will see Joelinton revert back to centre-midfield after recently playing out wide.
He will operate on the left of the three, with Joe Willock going to the right and Sean Longstaff playing as the ‘six’.
It is a tough ask for the local lad to step in for Bruno, but he will be feeling incredibly confident after his brace guided his boyhood club to Wembley.
Eddie Howe recalls ASM to Newcastle’s starting lineup
With Joelinton moving inside, it will create an opening for a winger to come into the starting XI.
It looks like a toss up between two players: Allan Saint-Maximin or new signing Anthony Gordon.
While fans will be eager to see the £45million man make his debut, it feels most likely that Saint-Maximin will get his first Premier League start since August. Gordon will have to settle for a place on the bench.
It will be a big opportunity for the Frenchman, who has endured a frustrating season due to injury. But he has the talent, and needs to take the chance that Bruno’s red card could give him.
Predicted XI vs West Ham: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Willock, Longstaff, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin.
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