Eddie Howe has made three changes to his Newcastle side from last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool. Loris Karius will make his debut for the club coming in for the suspended Nick Pope while Bruno Guimaraes has returned from suspension in place of Elliot Anderson and Alexander Isak has dropped to the bench for Callum Wilson.
On the bench, Matt Targett returned from injury along with Joe Willock. But with several players cup tied and others injured, The Magpies still have seven players missing from today’s match.
The match is Newcastle’s first major cup final in 24 years and first visit to the ‘new’ Wembley Stadium as a neutral side.
NUFC XI: Karius; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Longstaff, Joelinton; Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Wilson
Subs: Gillespie, Lascelles, Ritchie, Targett, Isak, Manquillo, Murphy, Willock, Anderson
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