With Champions League football secured and the season drawing to a close with a dead rubber at Stamford Bridge, changes were expected when Eddie Howe announced his final Newcastle United XI of the season.
The Magpies boss rung the changes as he made four alterations, bringing in the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin and Anthony Gordon from the outset. Matt Targett also filled in for Dan Burn, while Martin Dubravka was called upon to replace the injured Nick Pope.
The quartet deployed from the outset in west London may all remain at the club beyond the summer, as Howe looks to keep the bulk of his top four titans on Tyneside heading into what promises to be a gruelling campaign. None of the aforementioned foursome have been able to hold down a starting role in recent months, showing how strong Howe's selection options are at present.
