Bruno Guimaraes is set to start after suffering an injury scare. The midfielder was withdrawn in the closing stages of Newcastle’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on Sunday with an ankle issue.
The Magpies haven’t won any of the five matches Guimaraes has missed this season and the midfielder is the only regular starter for the club not to have lost a league match he has featured in this season.
Following Sunday’s defeat, Howe said: “Bruno twisted his ankle. I think he did similar [against Fulham]. He was in a bit of pain. We don’t think it’s serious at the moment, but let’s wait and see.”
Guimaraes trained with the rest of the first-team squad this week and is ‘fine’ to play this weekend.
Newcastle will also be boosted by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope this weekend following his one-match suspension.
But Ryan Fraser won’t be available after Howe said the winger has no future at the club and has been made to train with the Under-21s.
Here are the current doubts and outs for Saturday’s match...
5. Man City: John Stones - doubt
Stones could miss Saturday’s match due to a thigh injury. He has not played since January but is closing in on a return. | AFP via Getty Images
6. NUFC Emil Krafth - out
Krafth sustained an ACL injury in August and won’t be back for Newcastle until next season. | Getty Images
7. NUFC: Ryan Fraser - out
Has been frozen out by Eddie Howe and made to train with the Under-21s. His future looks set to be away from the club. Photo: Jan Kruger