Newcastle United will definitely have to make one change against Bournemouth on Sunday.
The Magpies head to the south coast for their second Premier League game of the season. Eddie Howe is on his way back to Bournemouth, as the Newcastle United manager takes on his former club.
Chris Sutton has predicted that Newcastle will win, but that will be dependent on how the Magpies perform defensively.
They are set to be without Fabian Schar, who is suspended for three games after being sent off against Southampton. It was a soft red card for Schar, but it means he is now unavailable.
He will likely be replaced by Emil Krafth at centre-back, but there is also another defender who Eddie Howe is considering starting against Bournemouth.
Eddie Howe is asked whether Lloyd Kelly could start against Bournemouth
The player in question is Lloyd Kelly, who impressed off the bench during the win over Southampton. That was his Newcastle United debut, having joined the club on a free transfer from Bournemouth.
Now Kelly is preparing for an early return to his former club, and Eddie Howe has told the media at his pre-match press conference that the 25-year-old is ‘pushing’ for a place in the starting XI.
“I think he’s in good condition,” he said.
“He didn’t have a lot of match action in pre-season, which is always difficult. He trained for roughly around three towards the end of pre-season and trained really well.
“I think he’s made a really positive impact with the group. I’ve been really impressed with his performances. I thought he did really well when he came on at the weekend in a difficult situation for us. He defended he really well.
“He would say he is ready, and he is certainly pushing for a starting place.”
Lloyd Kelly should start for Newcastle against Bournemouth
Howe has suggested that Kelly could be ready to start his first competitive game for Newcastle United, and that should now happen on Sunday.
Geordie Boot Boys have included Kelly in the Newcastle United predicted XI to face Bournemouth, tipping the defender to come into the team in place of Lewis Hall.
The former Chelsea youngster did not have his best game against Southampton, despite making a goal-saving clearance in the second half. Hall was hindered by an early yellow card, and it resulted in an uncomfortable afternoon for the 19-year-old.
Combine that with the fact that Newcastle are away from home and this could be a game that is more suited to Kelly. He did really well when he came on at the weekend, with Newcastle looking much more solid with him at left-back.
Kelly is a better defender than Hall, and that makes him a better choice to start at left-back away from home against a Bournemouth side preparing for their first match of the campaign at the Vitality Stadium.
Whether that convinces Howe to make a second change to his starting lineup remains to be seen. There will definitely be one change with Schar coming out, but there is now the possibility of another alteration.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
