Newcastle United supporters are hoping to see Eddie Howe make a handful of changes for his side’s visit to face Everton this evening. The Magpies will be looking to bounce back from Sunday’s disappointing, narrow defeat to Chelsea on their travels to Merseyside.
There were plenty of questions asked about the starting XI at Stamford Bridge but it was very nearly good enough to secure a positive result, especially if Jacob Murphy had been awarded a second-half penalty. Miguel Almiron and Sean Longstaff were handed rare starts in West London while Jamaal Lascelles and Javier Manquillo came into the backline.
The whole team turned in a strong performance and were more than unlucky to come away empty handed but Newcastle fans still want to see changes made against Everton. Earlier in the week, we asked for the Toon Army to select the team they wanted to see picked by Howe at Goodison Park and this was the most popular XI.
Should this be the team chosen, it would see the Magpies boss make four changes from Sunday’s defeat. Lascelles, Almiron, Longstaff and Jacob Murphy would be the casualties with Joelinton, Joe Willock, Ryan Fraser and Allan Saint-Maximin the four that come into the team.
While that might be the team that is preferred by supporters, Howe may not have each of those players available for selection. After missing out against Chelsea with an illness, Willock looks set to return against the Toffees but a couple of his midfield partners are struggling for fitness.
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In his pre-match press conference, Howe confirmed that Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton are both doubts with the latter being described as ‘touch and go’. After the trip to Everton, Newcastle’s next match is now in April so it is hard to imagine the transformed Brazilian will be risked, especially from the start.
One of the others who fans wanted to see involved tonight, Saint-Maximin, could be re-introduced to the starting XI after making another appearance from the bench at Stamford Bridge. Although, Howe might choose to stick with the team that almost earned another result against the odds at Chelsea.
