Newcastle United travel to Fulham on Saturday in desperate need of a win despite only playing seven times so far this season. The Magpies have become draw specialists this term and will want all three points from their trip to the capital.
Eddie Howe delivered many injury updates on Friday with Newcastle welcoming back key men in attack. Bruno Guimaraes, Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin may all be back in the fold later today.
Here is how our Newcastle United writers think Howe's side should line up against Fulham this afternoon.
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Aaron Stokes
Aaron's team: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett; Joelinton, Bruno, Anderson; Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Wilson
Attack, attack, attack! Elliot Anderson missed out on his chance to start against Bournemouth but now he's fit again, he should be thrown in from the start to see if he can spark some life into this side going forward. If Allan Saint-Maximin is fit enough for the bench, throw him in from the outset too given how little Newcastle have created in recent weeks.
I'd like to see Callum Wilson getting no more than 65 minutes and I'd keep the defence the same as recent games. But Newcastle must be bold at the other end of the pitch.
Lee Ryder
Lee's team: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett, Bruno, Joelinton, Willock, Fraser, Wilson, Almiron
Bearing in mind that Alexander Isak is unlikely to feature at Craven Cottage it can only be seen as a huge bonus that Wilson returns. If Fraser - in good fettle after a good international break with Scotland - can strike up that old telepathy, United can hurt Fulham. For me, Almiron was nowhere near his best against AFC Bournemouth and is close to the drop. So he needs a big game here especially with Saint-Maximin close to a return and him and Fraser able to play both sides.
The big call in defence is over Burn or Botman. Burn could be the ideal candidate to cope with Mitrovic. But both the Blyth lad and Botman are neck and neck for the right to partner Schar.
Ciaran Kelly
Ciaran's team: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett, Bruno, Willock, Joelinton, Almiron, Wilson, Fraser
Newcastle United have played much better under Eddie Howe than they did against Bournemouth last time out, but this is not the time for sweeping changes, particularly with so few attacking options in reserve. The reality is the return of Callum Wilson to this side could be the difference between the Magpies drawing games and winning matches moving forward. As such, I'd only make the one change as Wilson comes in for the injured Alexander Isak. Sven Botman is pushing for a start, but I would stick with Dan Burn at the back, whose physicality and Premier League nous will certainly be needed if Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is passed fit.
Andrew Musgrove
Andrew's team: Pope, Trippier, Burn, Schar, Targett, Longstaff, Joelinton, Bruno, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Wilson
You never know with Eddie Howe just what is really going on when it comes to the fitness of his players - he doesn't give much away and this applies to the XI for Saturday. Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimaraes appear to be back but we wait to see on Allan Saint-Maximin with Howe not seeming as confident the Frenchman would make it. But, I've got a sneaky suspicion that the winger will be just fine and will even start.
Newcastle are in desperate need of a win and with these three back in the fold, their chances increase. It is a gamble with Wilson but sadly from here on in it will be. I would be slightly tempted to start Wilson on the bench but with a lack of options up-front that would potentially leave Joelinton to fill-in and we all know that just doesn't work. The backline picks itself, Dan Burn will potentially face a battle with Alexander Mitrovic - and it's Burn's statue and strength that just gets him ahead of Sven Botman here.
The only other big chance I'd make is dropping Joe Willock. He's really struggling and needs to be taken out of the fold. Ideally, I'd put Elliot Anderson in but I don't think Howe will do that. I actually don't think Howe will drop Willock either but hey, this is my XI! I'd bring in Longstaff to allow Bruno to go forward a bit more.=
Sean McCormick
Sean's team: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett; Guimaraes, Willock, Joelinton; Fraser, Saint-Maximin; Wilson
Newcastle have been good so far this season without the substance up top to turn draws into wins. Callum Wilson's return to the side should prove to be the difference in that regard and Ryan Fraser, buoyed from a positive international break with Scotland, will be keen to provide the number nine with the same artillery he has provided Lyndon Dykes with for the Tartan Army.
Against Bournemouth, Newcastle didn't have a player who could pull a defender out of position or make them think. With that in mind, Allan Saint-Maximin must start if he's fit this afternoon and it would be great to see Elliot Anderson from the bench again after his positive cameos against Wolves and Crystal Palace.
