A second Champions League defeat in a row to Borussia Dortmund has left an injury-riddled Newcastle in danger of dropping out of Europe’s elite club competition at the group stage.
The Magpies, already without marquee summer signing Sandro Tonali due to betting offences, couldn’t respond to Niclas Fullkrug and Julian Brandt’s strikes in a 2-0 defeat. Their starting XI was missing a number of key cogs and they picked up more injury problems in Germany, too.
Stars like Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and Harvey Barnes are already sidelined, while Bruno Guimaraes is suspended for this weekend’s trip to Bournemouth and Callum Wilson a doubt.
Here’s the side manager Eddie Howe may pick to guide his side to a seventh Premier League win of the season.
GK: Nick Pope – Needed some treatment during the Dortmund defeat but the last thing Newcastle need is the England international ruled out with Martin Dubravka and Loris Karius the deputies in line to replace him.
RB: Tino Livramento – Got his first ever taste of Champions League football in midweek and should get another start with Trippier shifted over to the left.
CB: Fabian Schar – The Switzerland international remains without usual centre-back partner Sven Botman and will continue alongside Lascelles until Newcastle get to the bottom of the Dutchman’s knee problem.
CB: Jamaal Lascelles – Injuries have opened a spot up in the starting XI for club captain Lascelles, who revealed his fury at Arsenal captain Jorginho after last week’s victory.
LB: Kieran Trippier – Big Dan Burn is now facing months out of action with a back problem and natural deputy Matt Targett is similarly crocked, so Trippier is staring down the barrel of a long stint at left-back.
CM: Joe Willock – Scored in seven league games in a row when he first joined Newcastle at the back end of the 2020/21 season.
CM: Sean Longstaff – With Bruno Guimaraes suspended due to yellow card accumulation, there’ll be more onus on Longstaff to hold things together in central midfield.
CM: Joelinton – Joelinton’s presence in midfield becomes all the more important with Guimaraes’ absence. Yet to score this season.
RW: Miguel Almiron – The Paraguayan has four goals in all competitions and with Alexander Isak out and Callum Wilson doubtful, there’s more pressure on Almiron to provide more goal threat out wide.
ST: Anthony Gordon – With those aforementioned strikers out, Gordon may be tasked with running Bournemouth’s centre-backs ragged.
LW: Lewis Hall – The versatile Hall has played at left-back and on the wing so far this season and will get more opportunities with injuries affecting the likes of Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy.
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