The match is Newcastle’s final warm-up before they return to competitive action against AFC Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup fourth round at St James’s Park on Tuesday night (7:45pm kick-off). The Magpies have travelled to Saudi Arabia for a warm weather training camp during the World Cup break which saw them have five players out representing their countries in Qatar.
All five have now returned with Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier quickly back involved in the squad for today’s friendly match. Eddie Howe also named a bench made up exclusively of Under-21s players with several key first team players rested after being involved in a behind closed doors training match on Friday.
NUFC line-up: Pope; Trippier, Lascelles, Botman, Targett; Shelvey, Willock, Longstaff; J. Murphy, Saint-Maximin, Wood
Subs: Gillespie, Brookwell, Carlyon, Scott, Stephenson, Crossley, Ndiweni, Turner-Cooke, A.Murphy, L.Miley
1. Bruno Guimaraes - suspended
Serving the final match of his three game red card suspension.
3. Ryan Fraser - tactical
Misses out on the matchday squad with Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and Matt Ritchie the preferred wide options.
4. Harrison Ashby - tactical
Ashby has been training with the first team since his deadline day arrival at Newcastle but is yet to be included in a matchday squad.