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Newcastle United face Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon aiming to secure back-to-back Premier League wins since the beginning of December when they welcome Bournemouth to Tyneside. However, memories of their bitterly disappointing display at the Vitality Stadium will still loom large as a Dominic Solanke brace condemned Newcastle to a 2-0 defeat on an evening that could have seen the hosts score five or six.
Injury problems plagued them during that match and whilst they have subsided a little, Howe still has a number of key players absent and faces one or two major calls - including who to start up-front if, as anticipated, Callum Wilson is not able to feature after suffering an injury against Nottingham Forest last time out. Here, we take a look at the starting XI that Howe could name when his former side travel to St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon:
5. LB: Dan Burn
Burn’s position in the first-team has come under scrutiny recently, but Howe has repeatedly stated that he is an important part of the starting side. | Getty Images
6. CM: Sean Longstaff
Longstaff has been a regular part of Howe’s first-team this season and will undoubtedly play a major role again today. | Getty Images
7. CM: Bruno Guimaraes
Guimaraes starred at the City Ground last weekend and after missing the game at the Vitality Stadium through suspension, will be hoping to strut his stuff against the Cherries at St James’ Park. | Getty Images
8. CM: Lewis Miley
Miley has continued to impress and will likely feature today against the side he made his first Premier League start against back in November. | Getty Images