Rafa Benitez is likely to mix up his Newcastle United team this weekend as their Premier League survival bid is put on hold for FA Cup third round weekend.
The Magpies host Luton Town on Saturday and Benitez must juggle the need to rest key men while picking a side strong enough to avoid an upset.
It is likely that a number of Newcastle youngsters will be given their big chance and we have picked out three who could be in line for a call-up…
Freddie Woodman
England youth international Woodman is one of the most highly rated goalkeeping prospects on the planet, having played a key role in the Three Lions’ U20 World Cup win last summer.
But the 20-year-old is still waiting on his Newcastle debut and now his time surely has come.
Rob Elliot remains out injured and Karl Darlow, who impressed at Stoke City, is unlikely to be risked. Woodman has long been touted by supporters for a Premier League chance and he must prove his class against Luton.
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Jamie Sterry
This could well be Sterry’s last appearance for Newcastle, with a move – either permanent or temporary – on the horizon this January.
But that simply makes this opportunity two-fold: Sterry can either show his worth to Benitez or attract interest from a top Championship club.
Benitez has trusted the right back in the past and DeAndre Yedlin’s workload should see his young deputy given a shot.
Dan Barlaser
It was in the FA Cup third round last year that Barlaser made his first team bow, featuring in a 3-1 replay win over Birmingham City.
Further appearances have followed in the cup competitions, with the fortunes of both the midfielder and Newcastle varying.
Barlaser, like Sterry, could be looking for a loan move and he is now – at 20 – at an age where he needs to start making progress and consistently impressing on the first team stage.