Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe is sweating over the availability of several fitness doubts for Monday’s Premier League clash with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
All of Anthony Gordon, Joelinton, Kieran Trippier, Alexander Isak and Matt Targett are on the touch-and-go list at present, but the former appears to be the biggest worry, having been unable to train pain-free recently.
As a result, Howe should side with Harvey Barnes to operate on the left-hand side, as the former Leicester winger aims to show his erstwhile employers what they are missing out on.
The possible absence of Isak will be good news for Callum Wilson, who might make just his second Premier League start of the campaign, while Jacob Murphy operates off the right as ever.
Howe did admit to reporters that Joelinton would likely try to force himself to play through the pain, but he has no need to risk the Brazilian, as Joe Willock is more than capable of deputising alongside Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes in midfield.
Emil Krafth could also step into the backline for a rare start if need be, deputising for Trippier alongside Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento and number one goalkeeper Nick Pope.
As well as the quintet of doubts, Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Lewis Hall (foot) and Sven Botman (knee) are guaranteed to miss Monday’s game.
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Pope; Krafth, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Wilson, Barnes
> Click here to see how Leicester could line up for this game
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