Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle has a wealth of options for the Premier League clash with Everton at St James' Park, but the challenge lies in selecting the best starting XI. Jaissle has been ruthless in recent weeks, dropping Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa, making swift substitutions, and hooking under-performing players at half-time.
Jaissle's selection dilemma
The Magpies need to bounce back from their defeat to Everton on Thursday night, and with several players returning to fitness, Jaissle could ring the changes again. Concerns remain over William Osula's fitness, which may influence the attacking options.
Our team of NUFC writers have each selected their preferred starting XI for tonight's match, and you can pick your own below.
Lee Ryder's XI
Lee Ryder believes Jaissle will stick with his principles despite the defeat at Everton. He keeps Lukas Hornicek in goal, with Nick Pope having no future on Tyneside, and Amar Dedic at right-back. Fabian Schar and Dan Burn form the defensive partnership, with Lewis Hall at left-back despite a poor showing at Everton.
Sean Steur and Nico Gonzalez anchor the midfield, with Joelinton completing a midfield three. The front three would be Harvey Barnes, Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa, as Ryder fears William Osula won't make it.
Ryder's XI: Hornicek, Dedic, Schar, Burn, Hall, Joelinton, Steur, Gonzalez, Barnes, Elanga, Wissa.
Sean McCormick's XI
Sean McCormick calls for changes to Thursday night's team but not drastic ones. Nico Gonzalez, who had his best game of the season alongside Joelinton at Crystal Palace, returns to the side. Jacob Ramsey keeps his place, moving into the No 10 role.
Anthony Elanga returns on the right wing to rekindle his partnership with Amar Dedic, and with William Osula potentially unfit and Matias Fernandez-Pardo struggling with fitness, Yoane Wissa is the only real option up front.
McCormick's XI: Hornicek, Dedic, Schar, Burn, Hall; Gonzalez, Joelinton; Elanga, Ramsey, Barnes; Wissa.
Ross Gregory's XI
Ross Gregory would change the system to a 4-3-3. Joelinton and Gonzalez start, with Joe Willock edging out Jacob Ramsey for the third midfield spot. Gregory thought Willock was Newcastle's best player on Thursday night.
The back four and keeper stay the same, but up front there are changes. Gregory can't see Will Osula being fit and wouldn't put Yoane Wissa near the starting XI, so he'd start Matias Fernandez-Pardo through the middle if he has overcome his illness. Anthony Elanga starts on the right and Harvey Barnes on the left.
Gregory's XI: Hornicek, Dedic, Schar, Burn, Hall; Gonzalez, Joelinton, Willock; Elanga, Barnes; Fernandez-Pardo.
Stuart Jamieson's XI
Stuart Jamieson says Newcastle need goals and currently have no one to get them. Jaissle faces a choice between Yoane Wissa, who has two Premier League goals for United, and Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who is yet to score. Jamieson goes for Fernandez-Pardo, noting the Belgian is 21 and adapting to a new league.
Jacob Ramsey, who was harshly taken off at Everton, keeps his place alongside Joelinton and Nico Gonzalez, with Anthony Elanga back on the wing.
Jamieson's XI: Hornicek, Dedic, Schar, Burn, Hall, Gonzalez, Joelinton, Ramsey, Elanga, Barnes, Fernandez-Pardo.
