Newcastle United face a 'tough examination' of their resurgent form starting with an encounter at Southampton. That is the view of Magpies head coach Eddie Howe, who accepts the 'quick succession' of three away fixtures in eight days will test his side's tactical adaptability.
Newcastle's hard-fought 2-1 home victory over Brighton in their last outing extended their unbeaten top-flight run to eight matches, and lifted the club seven points clear of the relegation zone. However, United now face an extended run away from Tyneside following the Premier League's decision to reschedule the postponed clashes with the Saints and Everton on successive Thursday nights.
Howe has stressed his belief in the full squad at his disposal, despite largely relying on a settled starting eleven in recent weeks. The former Bournemouth boss has been reluctant to disrupt the 'rhythm' during the unbeaten run, but insists each player still has a 'huge role' to play.
Newcastle landed five signings in the January transfer window, and a busy summer is expected if Howe manages to secure top-flight survival. Injuries and a loss of form could provide opportunities in the final three months of the season, but this eight-day run could provide the best chance for current fringe players to stake their claim.
With rotation against Southampton, Chelsea and Everton likely, here is a look at six players who could be handed a lifeline for their Newcastle future ahead of the international break.
Miguel Almiron
Perhaps the most obvious name on this list, the former United record signing has become a peripheral figure under Howe. The Paraguayan playmaker has not started since December 12, and has featured for just 16 minutes so far this year in the Premier League.
The settled midfield trio combined with Ryan Fraser's best form in black-and-white has limited Almiron's opportunities in recent months, while Jacob Murphy has been given the nod ahead of the 28-year-old in recent matches. There is no obvious place for the former Atalanta United man in the current starting eleven, but the need to rotate could throw up a rare opportunity he simply has to take if he is to convince Howe of a place in his long-term plans.
Paul Dummett
The Magpies' academy graduate has endured a nightmare campaign to date plagued by a calf injury picked up in pre-season. Dummett made his return in the home draw with Watford in January, only then to suffer another setback the following week in the victory at Leeds United.
Despite this frustration, the 30-year-old earned a place in Newcastle's revised 25-man Premier League squad ahead of Jamal Lewis, but loanee Matt Targett has made an impressive start in black-and-white. Dan Burn has quickly made the left-footed central role his own, and the former Welsh international is currently set to depart in the summer at the end of his contract.
Sean Longstaff
The head coach issued something of an apology to the elder Longstaff brother, admitting he had not given the central midfielder much of a chance to impress since his arrival. The midfielder made a late cameo in the victory over Brighton to make his first appearance since an impressive display as a substitute against Leeds.
Longstaff's contract runs out in the summer, and the fact January signing Bruno Guimaraes cannot get a start at the moment does not bode well for his long-term prospects on Tyneside. However, Howe insists he would 'love' the 24-year-old to agree a new deal, and the congested run of games could hand the midfielder a chance to force his way into the starting eleven.
Javier Manquillo
The Spanish full-back cruelly suffered an injury in the same match as Kieran Trippier which denied him the immediate chance to cover for the England international. Manquillo was covering for the ineligible Matt Targett in the victory over Aston Villa, and has not been called upon since despite being fit enough to be named as a substitute for the last match against Brighton.
Emil Krafth has started the last three matches and helped Newcastle maintain their newfound defensive solidity. Manquillo has been a quietly steady performer in recent seasons, and chances at either right-back or left-back in the upcoming run of games could reinforce his claim to remain as a reliable squad option for next season.
Jacob Murphy
The former Norwich City winger has been handed his chance in recent weeks in the absence of Allan Saint-Maximin. Howe's confirmation that Newcastle's number 10 is still working his way back to full fitness could see Murphy keep his place at St Mary's Stadium.
The head coach has described the 27-year-old as a 'very good player', but Fraser's form and Saint-Maximin's return could see the winger return to the bench for the remainder of the campaign. Murphy agreed a six-year contract in 2021, but like many of his team-mates could find his place under threat come the summer.
Matt Ritchie
The former Bournemouth winger made his return to training this week after suffering a knee injury in the shock FA Cup defeat to Cambridge United in January. Southampton could come too soon for the 32-year-old, but the wide man's versatility could provide a welcome option in the coming weeks.
However, long-term questions have to be asked of Ritchie's future at St James' Park. The converted wing-back has fallen down the pecking order for an attacking role, while Targett's arrival has lessened the need for him to fill in at left-back.
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