Surprise Newcastle United recalls as Eddie Howe makes five changes for Wolverhampton Wanderers

Alexander Isak, Jacob Murphy, Allan Saint-Maximin, Joe Willock and Fabian Schar all come into Howe’s starting XI at St James’ Park. Anthony Gordon – who played against Manchester City last weekend – isn’t involved because of an ankle injury suffered at the Etihad Stadium.

Schar, meanwhile, returns from the concussion he suffered in the Carabao Cup final, while Saint-Maximin starts on his 26th birthday.

Sixth-placed Newcastle have suffered three successive 2-0 defeats. Asked if a difficult run was inevitable this season, United head coach Howe said: “I think every team will go through that. But I think the key thing is how quickly you can come out of that moment, how you conduct yourselves through it – and how you play through it. The players have been excellent.”

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Guimaraes, Longstaff, Willock, Murphy, Isak, Saint-Maximin. Subs: Dubravka, Dummett, Lascelles, Wilson, Ritchie, Targett, Manquillo, Almiron, Anderson.