Newcastle United travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday teatime with head coach Matthias Jaissle facing a couple of big selection decisions as he looks to continue his unbeaten start to the season.
The Magpies performed well against Liverpool in the Premier League opener last weekend only to be denied victory by a penalty deep into injury time. They bounced back in midweek with a 3-2 win over West Brom in the Carabao Cup, with the starting XI showing a number of changes.
Jaissle has also been boosted by the signing of midfielder Nico Gonzalez for £50m, and the new man could make his debut against Spurs. There is also a decision over other spots, particularly in attack where William Osula is ruled out.
Lee Ryder's XI
Matthias Jaissle hinted that he has little choice as far as his back four is concerned at the minute, which is why I expect him to go with a similar defensive rearguard at Spurs this weekend, and I'd agree with that selection.
I'd bring back Lukas Hornicek for the capital test and stick with Amar Dedic at right-back. In the middle, Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman are building up form and rapport as centre-halves, while Lewis Hall slots in easily at left-back despite recent penalty blunders.
In midfield, my holding duo would be Sean Steur and Nico Gonzalez, while my attacking trio behind the striker are Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock and Anthony Elanga. It is a tough choice in attack, but I'd give Nick Woltemade another chance. Review the goals from the other night and he was yards away from a tap-in for Harvey Barnes' first and could have taken on a shot for his second too had he been afforded the ball.
I'd preserve Lewis Miley for fitness reasons, but he and Yoane Wissa are great back-up choices along with Bazouma Toure, Aladji Bamba and Jacob Ramsey.
My starting XI: Hornicek, Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Steur, Gonzalez, Barnes, Willock, Elanga, Woltemade
Sean McCormick's XI
I would make just two changes to the team who drew with Liverpool last weekend. Sean Steur's been excellent, but I feel Nico Gonzalez's control and quality will be huge in a game where Newcastle's backs will likely be against the wall. It could also be the start of an exciting partnership between him and Lewis Miley in midfield.
With Will Osula injured, I think it is a no-brainer to move Yoane Wissa into the nine and start Joe Willock at No 10. Both players have made an excellent start to life under Matthias Jaissle, and Nick Woltemade just hasn't done enough to warrant a start in either position.
My starting XI: Hornicek; Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Miley, Gonzalez; Elanga, Willock, Barnes; Wissa
Ross Gregory's XI
The team just about picks itself for me. The only real conundrum is in the centre of midfield and whether Nico Gonzalez is handed a debut just days after joining.
Sean Steur has been very good so far, but playing three games in six days is a lot for the 18-year-old still adapting to the pace and physicality of English football. That's why I'd give him a breather - as Lewis Miley had in midweek - and bring in Gonzalez from the start. It may be a bit unfair on Steur, but he has a big future ahead of him.
Elsewhere, I just don't think Nick Woltemade has done enough to start and he doesn't fit in Jaissle's system. He won't run in behind as a No 9 and hasn't got the legs and forward drive that the German manager seems to like from his No 10 also.
I'd be slightly reluctant to move Yoane Wissa out of the 10 position given his man of the match performance against Liverpool, but he has to lead the line. That leaves Joe Willock to play behind. I'll admit, I thought his time was up at Newcastle, but he's enjoying a new lease of life under Jaissle.
My starting XI: Hornicek; Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Miley, Gonzalez; Elanga, Willock, Barnes; Wissa
Stuart Jamieson's XI
After Nick Woltemade and Joe Willock missed the opportunity in midweek with a flat performance against West Brom, neither have much of a case to start tonight in my opinion. Instead, I would go for Jacob Ramsey in a No 10 role behind Yoane Wissa, who has looked sharp so far.
A debut for Nico Gonzalez in midfield, but the big debate is who plays alongside the new £50m man. Sean Steur was excellent against West Brom, but Lewis Miley had the edge in the opener against Liverpool and should be restored to the starting line-up.
The backline picks itself right now, and with Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes back in the wide roles, Jaissle can pick a compact but potentially exciting side.
My starting XI: Hornicek; Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Gonzalez, Miley, Elanga, Ramsey, Barnes, Wissa
