The team news is in ahead of the 6pm kick-off in the Third Round of the FA Cup at Hillsborough this evening live on BBC One.
There was a lot of speculation doing the rounds on social media today regarding an alleged bust-up between Eddie Howe and Allan Saint-Maximin and that rift lead to ASM refusing to play today.
Obviously, there was no word from official channels on this one, but the lack of Saint-Maximin in the match squad is a cause for concern given his “The best is yet to come” social media post at the turn of the year – although some people were speculating that it looked almost like a “goodbye” message.
As for those who did make the cut -This is the side to face Sheffield Wednesday this evening:
HOWAY NEWCASTLE! 👊
⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/gzqGJb804Q
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 7, 2023
Even bigger news than the lack of ASM is the inclusion of record signing, Alexander Isak. Finally back in action after only making three appearances since his move to the Toon in August.
The brick wall that is Sven Botman is the only survivor of the unbreakable back five with Martin Dubravka, Javier Manquillo, Jamaal Lascelles and Jamal Lewis given their chance over Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn.
Matt Ritchie is recalled to the starting eleven along with a start for Elliot Anderson. Plenty of changes from Eddie Howe but it’s still a strong spine to the squad with Joelinton, Botman and Isak down the middle.
Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Joe Willock and Miguel Almiron are on the bench should we need to call on more experience if things aren’t going according to plan, but there’s no Callum Wilson in the squad.
Our opponents team selection:
📋 Here's how we line-up for #SHWNEW!
XI: Dawson, Palmer, Iorfa, McGuinness, James, Johnson, Dele-Bashiru, Byers, Vaulks, Windass, Smith
SUBS: Stockdale, Hunt, Famewo, Brown, Bakinson, Adeniran, Mighten, Paterson, Wilks pic.twitter.com/oAHcQSyjlP
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) January 7, 2023
I’m not even going to pretend I know if this is a strong side or not, but I know that we should be making light work of League One opposition, even with all of the changes.