Eddie Howe must put out a full strength Newcastle team tonight

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The wait is finally over – Newcastle United are back in competition action tonight when they face Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup.

After starting the season so well, it has been an agonizing wait to see the Magpies return to action. They haven’t played a competitive game since November 12th when they beat Chelsea 1-0.

Since then we have seen Eddie Howe’s team travel to Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo leave Manchester United, Argentina win the World Cup and Harry Kane’s quarter final penalty finally land back on earth.

But the wait is over. After more than five weeks, Newcastle are going to play a competitive football match. It is set to be an exciting night at St James’ Park, with a sellout crowd hoping to see the Magpies make it through to the next round.

There is real hope that Newcastle could do well in this competition. To do so we need to get past Bournemouth tonight.

So as domestic football returns, it is essential that Howe puts out as strong a team as possible against the Cherries.

Newcastle’s stars must be in the team vs Bournemouth

With no Newcastle player going further than the quarter finals at the World Cup, pretty much every player is available tonight. Kieran Trippier and Nick Pope played on Saturday, while Bruno Guimaraes’ social media activity suggests he will be involved.

Alexander Isak is still out injured, while there is a question mark next to Allan Saint-Maximin’s name after suffering a knock against Rayo Vallecano.

Those two have barely featured this season, meaning Howe should have the opportunity to name the best team that has guided the Magpies to third in the Premier League.

A win tonight would see Newcastle into the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup. By the end of this round, one of Liverpool and Manchester City will be eliminated, while the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are already out.

Newcastle have a great chance to do something special, and it is an opportunity to that Howe must not squander.

His players should be fresh after a five week absence, while the World Cup representatives didn’t actually play that much football in Qatar.

And with the Premier League’s return still six days away, Howe has the chance to put out his best team and still have them fresh for Leicester on Boxing Day.

If Callum Wilson is fit, then the £20million man has to start over Chris Wood. If Bruno feels ready then the 25-year-old has to start in midfield. We need Trippier and Pope. We should be going all out to win this cup tie.

Newcastle United is a club that has been starved of silverware. Howe can change that, but he must not jeopardise it by putting out a less than full strength side tonight.