After getting their first Premier League win of the season, Newcastle’s attention turns to the League Cup.
Steve Bruce’s side welcome Leicester City to St James’ Park, but have a number of first-team players ruled out due to injury.
Bruce wants to take the cups seriously, but has a tough job on his hands to pick a competitive side.
Four at the back
With two centre-backs out due to injury, Bruce may have to switch to four at the back. Paul Dummett should continue and captain the side, likely starting alongside Federico Fernandez.
There’s Ciaran Clark too if Bruce wants to stick with three centre-backs, but that would mean he’d have no backup option on the bench.
Emil Krafth should keep his place as he looks to improve, doing much better against Tottenham than he did at Norwich. On the left, Jetro Willems should make his first start.
Ritchie further up the pitch and a chance for Aarons
Matt Ritchie has started every game as Newcastle’s left wing-back, but should start higher up the pitch against Leicester. The Magpies have limited options out wide, meaning Ritchie will have to go back to being a right winger.
The limited options out wide should also lead to a chance for Rolando Aarons. He wasn’t selected in the 25-man Premier League squad, but Bruce doesn’t really have any other choice. With Almiron, Atsu and Saint-Maximin ruled out, Aarons will have to come in on the left side of attack.
One area where Bruce does have options is centre midfield, and we expect him to go with Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden and Matty Longstaff. The latter is yet to go out on loan, and Bruce may want to see how he performs against a Premier League opponent.
One of the trio will need to get higher up the pitch and support lone striker Yoshinori Muto.
Predicted lineup to face Leicester: Dubravka; Krafth, Fernandez, Dummett, Willems; Ritchie, Shelvey, Hayden, M Longstaff, Aarons; Muto.
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