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Team news: Debut for Matty Longstaff at St. James'
Written by Rory Mitchinson
Matty Longstaff will make his first-team debut for Newcastle United as the Magpies take on Leicester City in the Second Round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
The young midfielder featured in a string of United’s pre-season fixtures and struck a fantastic 20-yard goal in their 2-1 friendly victory over Saint-Étienne at the beginning of the month. Longstaff has travelled with the first team to Norwich and Tottenham over the last ten days but didn’t make the bench on either occasion.
Elsewhere, there is a first competitive appearance for a whole year for goalkeeper Karl Darlow, while Jetro Willems comes in for his full debut after moving to St. James’ Park over the summer.
The Dutchman is joined by Emil Krafth, Fabian Schär, Federico Fernández and Ciaran Clark in Newcastle’s backline, while Longstaff is partnered by Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey in midfield.
Krafth, Schär and Hayden are three of only four survivors from the side who overcame Spurs on Sunday. The other, Matt Ritchie, will likely start just behind lone frontman Yoshinori Muto.
The elder Longstaff, Sean, is joined by the likes of Paul Dummett and Jamaal Lascelles on the bench. But, in the absence of Joelinton, Dwight Gayle and Andy Carroll, Newcastle head into the evening without a recognised striker among their list of substitutes.
Newcastle United: Karl Darlow, Emil Krafth, Fabian Schär, Federico Fernández, Ciaran Clark, Jetro Willems, Isaac Hayden, Matty Longstaff, Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie, Yoshinori Muto.
Substitutes: Martin Dúbravka, Javier Manquillo, Paul Dummett, Jamaal Lascelles, Ki Sung-yueng, Sean Longstaff, Christian Atsu.