Steve Bruce has recalled attacking duo Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson to the Newcastle United line-up for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Southampton (3pm kick-off).
Neither started Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Burnley, with Saint-Maximin making a substitute appearance and Wilson not named in the squad as head coach Bruce opted to shuffle his pack.
But with his side yet to pick up a point this term, Bruce has restored the influential pair to his starting 11 as his side go in search of a first win of the campaign against Ralph Hasenhüttl’s Saints.
Freddie Woodman continues in goal after his clean sheet in midweek, with Jacob Murphy and Matt Ritchie again occupying the right and left wing-back roles respectively.
Fabian Schär and Federico Fernández line up either side of captain Jamaal Lascelles to form a central defensive trio.
Isaac Hayden misses out through injury so Sean Longstaff takes his place in the middle of the park, where he starts alongside Miguel Almirón and Joe Willock, who makes his first home league start for the Magpies since his permanent switch from Arsenal earlier this month.
That leaves French flier Saint-Maximin and last season’s top goalscorer Wilson to spearhead United’s attack against a side who are yet to win in the league.
There are some attacking options on the bench for Newcastle, too, with Ryan Fraser, Joelinton and Dwight Gayle all named.
Javier Manquillo, Emil Krafth, Ciaran Clark and Jamal Lewis provide defensive reinforcements, while Jeff Hendrick and Mark Gillespie are also named among the substitutes.
Newcastle United: Freddie Woodman; Jacob Murphy, Fabian Schär, Jamaal Lascelles, Federico Fernández, Matt Ritchie; Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff, Miguel Almirón; Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson.
Substitutes: Mark Gillespie, Javier Manquillo, Emil Krafth, Ciaran Clark, Jamal Lewis, Jeff Hendrick, Ryan Fraser, Joelinton, Dwight Gayle.