The Eddie Howe undroppables who have helped kickstart Newcastle’s season, four of them remain unbeaten together

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Eddie Howe has had to be patient but he has finally stumbled across his best Newcastle lineup.

Newcastle United started the season slowly but performances have drastically improved in recent weeks.

Eddie Howe’s side have entered the November international break in great form having won back-to-back Premier League games against two clubs in the top four.

Newcastle now find themselves eighth in the Premier League table but just one point off Chelsea in third. Hopes of European qualification are well and truly alive and Howe deserves credit for striking a brilliant balance in his lineup.

Unlike last season’s injury crisis, Howe now has options to choose from in each position. Despite this, a handful of stars are becoming undroppable.

Eddie Howe has struck perfect midfield balance at Newcastle

Howe was booed by Newcastle fans earlier this season after taking off Sandro Tonali, but it is now hard to find a spot for the Italian in midfield.

That is because Howe has found huge success with a midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff.

Longstaff has been Newcastle’s unsung hero this season. He may not be the most glamorous option in midfield but his workrate is unmatched.

Following the victory over Forest, Longstaff has extended his incredible record as a starter. He has not lost a single match when starting.

Willock, who has been labelled as “excellent” by David Moyes, has been outstanding for Newcastle this season and is now claiming a starting spot in midfield.

A remarkable stat has now emerged that Joelinton, Willock, Longstaff and Guimaraes have started together 14 times at Newcastle and have never been beaten.

Six Newcastle players have become undroppable this season

With Newcastle not in Europe this season, Howe can afford to name very similar lineups week in, week out.

After 14 games this season, it is quickly becoming clear who Howe cannot afford to drop.

Club captain Guimaraes is unsurprisingly first on the list. Dan Burn, Joelinton and Lewis Hall have also become undroppable after joining their skipper in a list of players to have featured in all of Newcastle’s games so far this season.

Hall was recently called up to the England squad for the first time as a result of his spectacular form on Tyneside.

Nick Pope and Anthony Gordon complete the list. The latter has only missed matches this season because of injury, while Pope was rested in the Carabao Cup.

Provided they are all fit, it is difficult to envision any match where Howe will drop any of these six stars.

Longstaff and Willock narrowly miss out with Howe still able to chop and change his midfield, but they are very much on the brink of becoming undroppable if they continue their strong form.