Southamptonvs.Newcastle

Pope has not featured since Newcastle's defeat away at Brentford back in December, as he has been out for several weeks with a knee injury.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe believes that Pope is close to returning, but he will not rush his first-choice stopper back into action.

If Pope cannot play at Southampton, then Martin Dubravka is expected to continue in goal, with the Slovakian keeper performing well in his absence.

In defence, Sven Botman was replaced by Fabian Schar at the beginning of the second half last weekend for tactical reasons, so Schar could get the nod from the start for the game against the Saints.

Assuming that Pope does not make it back in time from his injury, then Schar should be the only change from the team that were beaten last weekend.

Botman has only recently returned to action following a lengthy spell out with a cruciate injury, and with a defender of Schar's quality available to play, the Dutch defender can be eased back into action.

Elsewhere, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn and Lewis Hall are all expected to retain their places in the team, while Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes are all likely to continue in midfield for the visitors.

In attack, Newcastle have netted 35 goals so far this season in the Premier League and Alexander Isak has scored 15 of them, so the Swedish star is in no danger of losing his place in the side.

Jacob Murphy has provided seven assists so far in the league this season, with both Murphy and Anthony Gordon also likely to start as part of an attacking Newcastle side.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:

Dubravka; Hall, Burn, Schar, Livramento; Joelinton, Tonali, Guimaraes; Gordon, Isak, Murphy

Written by

Tom Humphrey