Newcastle United supporters are optimistic ahead of today's Premier League clash despite Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin not making the match day squad. In good news, Eddie Howe is set to hand Alexander Isak his St James' Park debut against Crystal Palace.
The 22-year-old suffered a dead leg against Liverpool on Wednesday but has recovered and will lead the attack against the Eagles. Talk on Tyneside ahead of the game centred around Saint-Maximin and Guimaraes' fitness. ChronicleLive readers urged Howe to gamble on the duo and name them on the team sheet today.
However, neither player managed to make the substitutes' bench... does this hint at their injuries being worse than first feared?
READ MORE: Newcastle transfer bids get brutal club responses and bench 'protect themselves' at Liverpool
Elsewhere, Dan Burn has been dropped for the first time this season. Matt Targett retains his place at left-back while Sven Botman and Fabian Schar return at the heart of defence.
This is how supporters reacted on social media at the starting XI.
@ManquilloSQZ: Bruno and Maxi and that gets Europe, good christ
@ToonDave1: Shame Maxi and Bruno aren't ready to return yet but Wednesday proved we can play well without. Come on the toon and Isak to grab a few.
@nufcpanda: Let's go. Isak brace incoming
@HazneeM: Play like we are playing Liverpool or Man city and we will win
wa7th3m: Need to win this with what’s on the pitch not a lot off the bench again. But I’m confident the lads can do it. Toon army
@paul1892murray: Let’s get at these from the off! HOWAY THE LADS!!
@IamBurnphoto: Shame Bruno and Maxi haven’t made the team. I’d rather have them fit than risked though.
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