Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle has near enough a full squad to choose from for this afternoon's Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey are back in contention, though several players are not yet ready to start.
Newcastle go into the game after two damaging defeats to Coventry and Aston Villa, while Palace are returning from a European clash against Besiktas in Turkey. Dan Burn, William Osula and Amar Dedic are expected to be available to start, giving Jaissle selection headaches.
Lee Ryder's XI: Stability at the Back
Lee Ryder would make four changes, bringing back Fabian Schar and Dan Burn in the heart of the defence alongside Tino Hall, with Amar Dedic at right-back. He would bench Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw, a call he admits could disrupt dressing room harmony.
Ryder would start William Osula up front, keep Yoane Wissa as a number 10, move Toure to the left and Barnes to the right, with Joelinton in holding midfield. His XI: Hornicek, Dedic, Schar, Burn, Hall, Gonzalez, Joelinton, Toure, Wissa, Barnes, Osula.
Sean McCormick's XI: Subtle Tweaks
Sean McCormick expects Jaissle to keep his formation but make subtle positional tweaks. He would make three changes, provided players are fit, bringing in Dan Burn, Amar Dedic and Will Osula.
McCormick highlights Joelinton's return last week as important and notes Dedic's familiarity with Jaissle's methods from their time at RB Salzburg. He also wants Matias Fernandez-Pardo on the right, despite illness. His XI: Hornicek; Dedic, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Gonzalez, Joelinton; Fernandez-Pardo, Wissa, Barnes; Osula.
Stuart Jamieson's XI: A More Advanced Role
Stuart Jamieson argues the recent wobble is about roles rather than formation. He would deploy Sean Steur in a more advanced role ahead of Nico Gonzalez and Joelinton, with Will Osula leading the line and Fernandez-Pardo on the right if fit.
At the back, Jamieson would bring Dan Burn in for Sven Botman, though he flags reliance on the 34-year-old as a red flag. His XI: Hornicek, Dedic, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Gonzalez, Joelinton, Steur, Fernandez-Pardo, Barnes, Osula.
Ross Gregory's XI: Radical Changes
Ross Gregory would be more radical, bringing in four or five players and switching to a 4-3-3 formation. He would drop Lewis Miley, Sven Botman, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Yoane Wissa and Joe Willock.
In their place, Gregory starts Amar Dedic, Dan Burn, Bazoumana Toure, Will Osula and Sean Steur, with Nico Gonzalez at the base of midfield and Steur and Joelinton either side. Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey start from the bench. His XI: Hornicek, Dedic, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Gonzalez, Steur, Joelinton; Toure, Osula, Barnes.
