Predicted Newcastle United XI to face Leeds as Will Osula call is made and Nick Woltemade possibility

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Eddie Howe will be forced to make multiple changes to his Newcastle United starting XI against Leeds United on Saturday.

Newcastle’s loss to Liverpool on Monday night was hard to take. Not only did the Magpies concede in the 100th minute, they also lost multiple players to injury and suspension.

Anthony Gordon’s red card means that he will definitely miss the trip to Elland Road, as he serves the first of a three-game ban.

Newcastle have fitness problems too. Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Fabian Schar all came off against Liverpool, but only the former has been ruled out.

With at least two changes on the horizon, this is Geordie Boot Boys’ predicted Newcastle United XI to face Leeds.

Fabian Schar retains his place ahead of Malick Thiaw against Leeds

Schar was forced off against Liverpool, with fears that he suffered a concussion.

However, Eddie Howe has confirmed that Schar is available for Saturday’s game.

That is a blow for Malick Thiaw, who was in line to start for the first time if Schar was absent. He was introduced off the bench on Monday night and showed some nice touches, after briefly making an error with his first involvement.

• Who is Malick Thiaw? Meet the ‘very good’ defender Eddie Howe has brought to Newcastle United

New-look midfield for Newcastle United

It did look like Newcastle would need to change two thirds of their midfield against Leeds, but there is a chance that is not going to be the case.

Joelinton is ruled out, but Tonali is pushing to feature despite the shoulder injury he sustained at home to Liverpool.

Geordie Boot Boys predict that the Italy international will be passed fit to start, which will mean that Lewis Miley remains on the bench.

In place of Joelinton, Jacob Ramsey is poised to start for the first time in a Newcastle United shirt.

He will join captain Bruno Guimaraes in the middle of the park. Bruno was outstanding against Liverpool, and will be eager to build on that performance.

• Who is Bruno Guimaraes? Meet Newcastle’s brilliant Brazilian lighting up the Premier League

Eddie Howe starts Will Osula up front

With Alexander Isak refusing to play and Gordon suspended, Howe has a major issue through the middle.

Will Osula could be the beneficiary, having scored just his second ever Premier League goal in the 3-2 loss to Liverpool.

It is a huge opportunity for the 22-year-old, who has never started a league game for the Magpies. Due to a lack of alternatives, that could change.

• Who is William Osula? Get to know the rapid Newcastle United striker who is quickly becoming a cult hero

The other player who must be considered is Nick Woltemade, the man who is set to solve the Magpies’ striker problem. Newcastle are set to sign Woltemade for a club-record fee, and he could even be involved on Saturday.

If Newcastle can get him through his medical and registered before 12pm on Friday, he could make the bench. That would be a real boost.

Predicted XI vs Leeds: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Bruno, Tonali, Ramsey; Elanga, Osula, Barnes.