Newcastle United will be bidding to return to winning ways in a crucial top-four encounter with Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp's side travel to St James' Park on Saturday evening, with the Magpies looking to avenge their only Premier League loss so far this season.
Fabio Carvalho netted a controversial injury-time winner at Anfield in August to seal a 2-1 victory for Liverpool. Since then, Eddie Howe's side have opened up a nine-point cushion over the Carabao Cup and FA Cup holders with a club-record unbeaten 17 match run.
Much of Newcastle's recent success has come from a settled starting eleven, but Howe will be forced into at least one change for the upcoming televised encounter. Here are the six injury doubts and confirmed absences for the Magpies boss to consider with the clash with Liverpool.
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Bruno Guimaraes
The Brazil international will serve the final match of this three-game suspension against Liverpool following his red card in the semi-final second leg victory over Southampton. Guimaraes will be eligible to return in next weekend's Carabao Cup final.
Emil Krafth
The Sweden international remains a long-term absentee after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Carabao Cup second-round victory at Tranmere Rovers in August. Krafth was included in the Premier League's 25-man squad, but Howe admits there is little chance of the full-back featuring again this season.
Javier Manquillo
The Spain full-back recently picked up a reported knee injury which is expected to keep him out of action until the end of the month. Manquillo was pictured back in training this week, but the former Liverpool defender is not in contention this weekend.
Matt Targett
The summer signing has been absent with an ankle injury since last month, with Dan Burn establishing himself as first-choice at left back. Howe recently confirmed Targett was making good progress with his rehabilitation, but no return date has been offered for the 27-year-old.
Joe Willock
Howe ruled the former Arsenal star out of this weekend's encounter, with the box-to-box midfielder withdrawn in the first-half of the draw with Bournemouth with a hamstring complaint. However, the Newcastle boss is hopeful Willock will be able to feature in the Carabao Cup final.
Callum Wilson
Wilson missed out on the return to his former club with a 'minor complaint', and was expected to train on Friday. Alexander Isak started up front against the Cherries, and the number nine could give Howe a decision to make up front.
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