Eddie Howe doesn't tend to rotate a winning Newcastle United team but now has the luxury of being able to make changes for the Magpies' third clash in six days. Newcastle are on a fine run of form and can continue to lead the way in the race for the top four with a win at Brentford on Saturday afternoon.
All of a sudden Howe has a wealth of options at his disposal with Newcastle's bench looking much stronger than this time six months ago. The north east outfit were able to bring Callum Wilson and Joelinton back into the starting XI against West Ham with Joe Willock and Alexander Isak settling for a place on the bench.
The duo, along with £40m January addition Anthony Gordon, were introduced in the second-half at the London Stadium as Newcastle ran riot in the capital. With just a short break in between matches this week, Howe shouldn't be afraid to mix it up again at the Gtech Community Stadium.
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"I think I’ve got a strong squad, and with three games in six days, I want the players to enter the pitch in the best physical condition possible," Howe said after the 5-1 win in midweek. "In my opinion, I’d be foolish not to rotate and trust the team. I trust the squad and the players coming in. I’ve got no doubt on the quality, and we’ve got a lot of games in a short period of time."
Wilson and Isak are both in fine form at present, while half a dozen players are currently battling it out for just two starting spots on either flank. The likes of Allan Saint-Maximin and Jacob Murphy have both stepped up when required and are fighting tooth and nail to make sure they retain their places for the business end of the season.
Joelinton, who recently served a two-game suspension, waltzed back into the fold in midweek and helped himself to two confident goals to send a timely reminder to Howe. "He's made good decisions all season, he's great and everyone he put in tried their best," the Brazilian said of Howe and his team-mates.
"I was given the chance to come back in today and I gave everything to help the team. If Joe Willock had played he would have done the same, we have a great mentality and the same goals where everyone is together and everyone is trying to do their best for Newcastle."
Howe may also consider giving a rest to the likes of Dan Burn and Sven Botman at the back. The former endured a tough evening against Jarrod Bowen in east London and put in an uncharacteristically poor showing as a result.
Matt Targett is available for Howe and has been building his fitness behind the scenes at the club's Benton base. The left-back has hardly put a foot wrong since arriving on Tyneside over a year ago and is itching to try and force his way back into Newcastle's starting line-up.
Jamaal Lascelles has stepped into the first-team when required this season and fared well against some of the league's trickier opposition. There has been a smattering of calls for Botman to be rested this weekend despite consistently impressive performances in a black and white shirt.
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