Newcastle United face a busy weekend of pre-season action as they play two matches in less than 24 hours. The Magpies are set to host Atalanta on Friday evening, before then going head-to-head with Athletic Bilbao the following day.
Given the close proximity of the matches, this weekend could provide Eddie Howe the opportunity to get 90 minutes into the legs of several players. Against Benfica, Howe named two separate XIs in either half but that is unlikely to be the case in the next couple of days as preparations ramp up for the opener against Nottingham Forest, which takes place next Saturday.
The window has not quite been as busy as some Newcastle supporters may have expected, or hoped, and for that reason there are still several positions up for grabs in Howe’s line-up. Here at Chronicle Live , we have taken a look at them.
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Centre back
While centre back is one of the areas that has been strengthened this summer, it still remains unclear what Newcastle’s first choice partnership will be. The big bucks haven’t been spent on Sven Botman for him to come and sit on the bench meaning he is likely to start at left centre back.
On the other side, though, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar looks 50/50 at this stage. Burn was excellent following his January arrival from Brighton but where Schar may have the advantage is that he is right footed and would therefore add better balance to the back four.
Centre midfield
Particularly after Jonjo Shelvey limped off in the 3-2 friendly defeat to Benfica earlier this week, the third spot in midfield looks up for grabs. Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton are both certainties to start, but there are question marks as to who lines up alongside them.
The decisive factor could well be where Guimaraes starts; if he is chosen to shield the defence then Joe Willock would be likely to come in. If he is selected as one of the eights, though, Sean Longstaff may be the chosen one.
Right wing
After failing to bring in a new right winger so far this summer, who starts on the right wing looks between two players. Ryan Fraser – who until injury ended last season in excellent form – or Miguel Almiron, who has been on fire in pre-season.
Almiron has six goals and two assists in friendlies this summer and netted an impressive brace against Benfica on Tuesday. That recent form could be what swings it in his favour.
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