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Eddie Howe makes Alexander Isak call, £39m star starts… Predicted Newcastle United XI vs Leicester City
Liam Brusby
4 minutes
Eddie Howe has several big decisions to make as Newcastle United travel to Leicester City on Monday night.
The Magpies are looking to continue their good run of form after making it three straight wins in all competitions against Brentford on Wednesday, but the Newcastle United manager confirmed there were injury concerns after the win at St James’ Park.
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Eddie Howe confirmed several players had ‘niggles’ after Newcastle’s win against Brentford and hoped it would not keep them out of Monday’s important Premier League clash against Leicester City.
As the race for the final Champions League spots heats up, here is Geordie Boot Boys’ predicted Newcastle starting XI to face Leicester.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
An unchanged backline for Newcastle United
Howe was concerned for Kieran Trippier after the Brentford win, but has since confirmed that he does not believe his groin issue, which forced him off in the latter stages of Wednesday’s game to affect him.
Fabian Schar and Dan Burn are almost certain to keep their places at centre-back, while Tino Livramento will continue to fill in at left-back for the injured Lewis Hall.
The Magpies are short of options at the back for the final nine games of the season, so Howe will be keen to see his defenders get through the game unscathed.
Joelinton to play through the pain
As well as Trippier, Howe confirmed Joelinton is struggling with a knee injury. The Brazilian was seen sporting heavy padding around the injured area, but is believed to be tough enough to continue playing through it until the end of the season.
Joelinton is also just one yellow card away from picking up a two-match ban, having already been booked nine times this season. The 28-year-old is on thin ice, but he is still expected to start.
After his wondergoal on Wednesday, Sandro Tonali keeps his place alongside Bruno Guimaraes.
READ MORE: Who is Joelinton? Age, Height, Chant, Position, Socials and More
Harvey Barnes gets the nod over Anthony Gordon
After missing the last three games, Newcastle United can finally select Anthony Gordon.
However, the 24-year-old has been struggling with a hip injury he picked up while on international duty.
Howe confirmed Gordon is ‘not 100%‘, so the 47-year-old is expected to name an unchanged front three.
That means Harvey Barnes continues his run in Newcastle’s starting XI, a run which has seen him bag two assists in his last three starts.
The £39m winger will return to his former club where he won the FA Cup in 2021, but it could be his last start of the season if Gordon is deemed fit after Monday.
READ MORE: Who is Harvey Barnes? Profile, Girlfriend, Dad, Salary, Socials
Elsewhere, Alexander Isak struggled with his groin once again against Brentford, but Howe confirmed it was not an injury he was too worried about.
Predicted XI vs Leicester: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Bruno G, Tonali; Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes
