Newcastle United welcome Bournemouth to St James' Park this afternoon as the Magpies look to pick up their second league win of the campaign. Eddie Howe has had a while to plan for the reunion with his former club after the cancellation of last weekend's clash with West Ham United.
The break has also allowed a few first-team players to step up their return from injury. Howe remained tight-lipped when quizzed over his returning stars but may welcome back the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin and Bruno Guimaraes to the fold on Saturday.
With that in mind, our Chronicle Live writers have picked out their starting XI's for the Bournemouth tie.
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Aaron Stokes
Eddie Howe has left us all guessing when it comes to Newcastle United's brightest stars and their fitness issues. I personally wouldn't be surprised if the Magpies boss kept his key men wrapped up until after the international break.
The word is that Bruno Guimaraes is the man closest to a return, and if so must return to the heart of the Newcastle side. Joelinton is a shoe-in and I'd like to see Elliot Anderson given a go in the middle too.
It pains me to leave Big Dan Burn out the XI but I'm really enjoying Fabian Schar and Sven Botman together at the back. In attack, I'd go keep Miguel Almiron, Ryan Fraser and Alexander Isak as the three if Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson aren't available.
Aaron's XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett; Joelinton, Bruno, Anderson; Fraser, Almiron, Isak
Lee Ryder
This is the team I'd go with if Saint-Maximin and Wilson are definitely ruled out which is the suggestion going into the game. Bruno is feeling "better" according to United sources and he would almost certainly be pushed back into the midfield anchor role.
That would give the midfield more of a balance and allow Joe Willock to push further forward as he searches for a much-needed goal. Fraser and Almiron would provide the supply line for Isak - who didn't get great service against Palace.
Lee's XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett, Joelinton, Bruno, Willock, Fraser, Isak, Almiron
Ciaran Kelly
Eddie Howe was, unsurprisingly, keeping his cards very close to his chest on the availability of Bruno Guimaraes, Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson. This game may come too soon for the trio, as a whole, but if Bruno is fit and firing, there is no reason why the Brazil international should not come straight back into the starting line-up before inevitably playing games for his country later this month.
I was really impressed with how Elliot Anderson played during his cameo out on the left against Crystal Palace last time out so I'd also bring him in from the off.
Ciaran's XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett; Bruno, Willock, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Anderson
Chris Knight
The unexpected break will hopefully have given Guimaraes and Saint-Maximin enough time to recover for what is an important game for Howe's side. Both come straight back into my starting eleven, with Isak leading the line in the likely absence of Wilson.
Newcastle should enjoy the lionshare of possession and will be tasked with breaking down a stubborn rearguard action. Botman and Schar appear to have become the first-choice partnership, and I would stick with this pairing given their intent to play forward.
Guimaraes would take the anchor role, allowing Joelinton and Willock to continue with their box-to-box duties, and Almiron and Saint-Maximin would flank Isak. In the event Howe decides against playing either of the injured duo, Longstaff and Fraser should come in with Anderson to be used as a late attacking substitution once more.
Chris' XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett; Guimaraes, Willock, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Saint-Maximin
Andrew Musgrove
I would expect Eddie Howe to name a largely unchanged side. As expected he gave nothing away regarding the injuries to Callum Wilson, Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin.
With the international break coming up, there's no need to rush any of them back - and to be fair, the whisper is that Guimaraes may be the only one ready for a return. Let's say that is the case, you'd bring Guimaraes in for Sean Longstaff who just hasn't managed to shine while the Brazilan has been out injured.
I'd also start Elliot Anderson in place of Joe Willock - keeping Miguel Almiron and Ryan Fraser on the flanks. It's a big game for both who will be well aware that Anderson could play out wide and Saint-Maximin will likely be back for the game against Fulham. You can't see any further changes - the defence looks assured, and I'm tipping Alexander Isak to pop a couple in this Saturday.
Andrew's XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Anderson; Fraser, Almiron, Isak
Sean McCormick
The fact Eddie Howe was non-committal on the injury front in his press conference suggests a decision over the fitness of Bruno Guimaraes, Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson will go down to the wire but if they are fit, they must start.
Newcastle's positive start to the season in terms of performances has still only yielded one victory and it is imperative they head into the international break on the back of a second win of the campaign. Should they not be fit, Sean Longstaff would replace Bruno Guimaraes in the holding role and Miguel Almiron and Elliot Anderson - fresh from an impressive cameo against Crystal Palace - would replace Saint-Maximin and Wilson in the front three.
In terms of the back four, Sven Botman has made a positive start but I would revert to the tried and tested Fabian Schar and Dan Burn central defensive partnership for this game.
Sean's XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett; Guimaraes, Willock, Joelinton; Saint-Maximin, Isak; Wilson
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