Eddie Howe has named an unchanged Newcastle side for the third match running as he hopes to claim a third successive Premier League win. Victory this afternoon would see The Magpies jump above Man United in the Premier League table and into the Champions League places with 11 games remaining.
While there were no changes to the starting line-up, there were some welcome returns on the bench with Anthony Gordon back from an ankle injury and Joelinton available once again following suspension.
Nick Pope and Sven Botman also appear to have shaken off issues during the international break to remain in Howe’s starting XI.
NUFC XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Longstaff, Willock; Murphy, Saint-Maximin, Isak
Subs: Dubravka, Lascelles, Gordon, Wilson, Ritchie, Joelinton, Anderson, Targett, Manquillo
But there are still some players who are not part of the squad this afternoon - here’s why...
1. Allan Saint-Maximin - hamstring
Saint-Maximin sits out today’s match at Brentford with a hamstring issue. Photo: Alex Pantling
2. Miguel Almiron - thigh
Miguel Almiron is facing a spell on the sidelines after picking up a thigh injury in training. Photo: Michael Regan
3. Jamal Lewis - tactical
Misses out on a place in the squad once again with Paul Dummett preferred. Photo: OLI SCARFF
4. Ryan Fraser - tactical
Ryan Fraser has been frozen out of the first team squad and is training with Newcastle United’s Under-21 squad. Photo: Jan Kruger