Newcastlevs.Arsenal

The Magpies are still unable to call upon Harvey Barnes (muscle) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) as they continue to recover from injury, but Callum Wilson has returned to training and has an outside chance of featuring in the matchday squad after over eight weeks out with a hamstring issue.

After missing 11 games with a knee injury, Nick Pope has watched on as an unused substitute in Newcastle's last two matches and Howe will now weigh up whether to recall his first-choice shot-stopper or continue with Martin Dubravka between the sticks.

Eddie Howe will also consider handing centre-back Sven Botman a start ahead of either Fabian Schar or Dan Burn. Kieran Trippier is another who will push for a recall at the expense of Valentino Livramento, but Lewis Hall is expected to retain his spot at left-back.

Ex-Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock, who has not started for Newcastle since their 2-0 first-leg win at the Emirates Stadium a month ago, will be hoping to force his way back into the first XI on Wednesday ahead of Joelinton, and start alongside both Bruno Guimaraes - who was banned for the first leg - and Sandro Tonali.

Jacob Murphy scored his fourth goal of the season and third on home soil in Newcastle's 2-1 Premier League defeat to Fulham last weekend. The winger is expected to continue in attack with Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak, who both found the net in the first-leg win over Arsenal.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup: Pope; Livramento, Botman, Schar, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon

Written by

Oliver Thomas