Eddie Howe was forced to tweak his Newcastle United starting line-up against a Southampton team who are looking relegation in the face.
With Sean Longstaff injured Anthony Gordon was handed a start against the Saints and the chance to impress. The Magpies could not have gone into the game in better spirits after thrashing Tottenham Hotspur and Everton in their last two matches.
Howe also opted to start with Alexander Isak with the Sweden star in attack with Gordon and Jacob Murphy. Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Joe Willock patrolled the midfield while Dan Burn came back at left-back alongside Sven Botman, Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier.
Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson and Matt Targett were on the bench.
READ MORE: Newcastle United vs Southampton LIVE: Updates from St James' Park
Sean Longstaff is likely to miss the rest of the season after suffering a foot injury in the 4-1 win at Everton.
Longstaff was hurt after a bad tackle by James Tarkowski at Goodison Park and needed to be taken off. It now means he is a doubt for the remaining fixtures.
Newcastle United: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Bruno, Willock, Joelinton; Gordon, Murphy, Isak.
Subs: Dubravka, Dummett, Wilson, Ritchie, Lewis, Targett, Manquillo, Almiron, Anderson.
Southampton XI: McCarthy, Lyanco, Bella-Kotchap, Bednarek, Walker-Peters, Armstrong, Ward-Prowse(c), Lavia, Sulemana, Djenepo, Alcaraz
Subs: Mara, Caleta-Car, Walcott, Maitland-Niles, Adams, Bazunu, Diallo, Elyounoussi, Armstrong
