Fans were delighted to see that Kieran Trippier will make his first start in three months against Burnley today – though there was also sympathy for Emil Krafth who loses his place.
Newcastle United head to Turf Moor this afternoon to face a Burnley side fighting for Premier League survival. Nobody can say Eddie Howe has not chosen his strongest side, with just two changes from the team that won 2-0 against Arsenal on Monday night.
The big news is that Trippier starts against his former side, taking the right-back spot from Emil Krafth. Trippier came on as a substitute against Manchester City after recovering from an injury suffered in February, but stayed on the bench against Arsenal.
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The other change is that Jamaal Lascelles takes the centre-back spot from Fabian Schar, who went off against Arsenal after a knock to the head. Lascelles replaced him during that match and did a good job, while Schar has been gong through concussion protocols this week but is on the bench.
The full side is: Dubravka, Trippier, Lascelles, Burn, Targett, S Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Wilson. On the bench are: Darlow, Schar, Fernandez, Dummett, Krafth, Ritchie, Murphy, Gayle and Wood.
Fans were very happy to see the return of Trippier for the final match of the season. There was also praise for Lascelles following his performance against Arsenal.
@ilovebrunogui tweeted: "Think lascelles will do well with trippier next to him tbf."
@R9Joey wrote: "The good thing about lascelles is he wins lots of header and all Burnley do is cross."
There was also a lot of sympathy for Emil Krafth who lost his place to Trippier. After a difficult time at Newcastle under Steve Bruce, he has turned things around and put in some brilliant performances recently.
@6diddy6 said: "Actually feel a bit sorry for Krafth, who has been excellent for us recently. And that’s something I never thought I’d say."
@ronnie86mains agreed: "Happy to have Trippier back starting, feel a bit sorry for Krafth though, he's been playing really well."
@EllieCowzer replied: "Krafths been getting his minutes since tripps been away with injury. With it being our last match of the season we wanna end on a high and Tripps deserves his minutes. And will make the team strong in the defence."
@SeanyFinnerty added: "Krafth unlucky to miss out which just goes to show how much he’s turned it around."
There was also a lot of happiness that some of Newcastle's best players are finally getting to play together. One fan, @us_toon, tweeted: "Trippier and Wilson start at the same time… took all season, but YES!!!"
While @MichaelNUFC_ said of the teamsheet: "Oh my that is filthy."
The match kicks off at 4pm.
