Newcastle United return to cup action this evening when Championship side West Bromwich Albion visit St James' Park for the first knockout game of the Matthias Jaissle regime. The head coach faces significant selection decisions, with the strength of his starting XI under scrutiny after a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the weekend.
Rotation vs momentum
Newcastle had a strong record in the Carabao Cup under Eddie Howe, famously winning it in 2025 after being beaten finalists two years earlier. It is a competition United have taken seriously, and Jaissle will want to make his mark too. He has the option to rotate almost the entire team, resting those who starred against Liverpool, but he may opt for relatively few changes to embed his style and build momentum.
William Osula picked up an injury against Liverpool, while U21 stars Sean Neave, Leo Shahar and Miodrag Pivas could come into the squad. Nick Woltemade, Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba are also looking for game time. Our Newcastle writers have each picked their preferred starting XI.
Lee Ryder's XI
Lee Ryder notes Jaissle was cautious when asked about his first Carabao Cup campaign, refusing to make rash statements on trophy glory. He points out that starting Sean Steur and Lewis Miley against Liverpool was a big call, so blooding more youngsters against West Brom would not cause shockwaves. Ryder would hand Mason Miley, Miodrag Pivas and Dylan Charlton a shot in defence, give Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba home bows, and get minutes out of Woltemade regardless of position. He backs Sean Neave to make a senior start.
Ryder's XI: Jaouen; Mason Miley, Schar, Pivas, Charlton, Bamba, Ramsey, Toure, Woltemade, J Murphy, Neave.
Sean McCormick's XI
Sean McCormick says Newcastle made a positive start to the Jaissle era against Liverpool and must keep that momentum rolling, but also need to get minutes into players who didn't start. He would make nine changes, with Sven Botman and Lewis Hall retaining their places due to limited senior defensive options. Ewen Jaouen, Leo Shahar, Aladji Bamba and Bazoumana Toure should be handed full debuts, while Fabian Schar and Jacob Ramsey start. Jacob Murphy and Joe Willock will start, and with the transfer deadline approaching, the chances of it being their final appearance increase.
McCormick believes Woltemade should start up front, calling it a big night for the German international after he was unused on Sunday. His XI: Jaouen; Shahar, Schar, Botman, Hall; Bamba, Ramsey; Murphy, Willock, Toure; Woltemade.
Andrew Musgrove's XI
Andrew Musgrove is torn, understanding calls for rotation but arguing that for those who are fit, the team should be as close as possible to the one that started against Liverpool. He says momentum is best found through consistency, and warns against disrupting the flow of individuals like Anthony Elanga. On Woltemade, he admits a large part of him wouldn't pick him, but fears the writing is on the wall if he doesn't start, though he sees a dilemma in the system.
Musgrove expects Jaissle to rotate, with youngsters like Ewan Jaouen, Leo Shahar and Miodrag Pivas possibly starting, and thinks Woltemade will play. His own changes would be based on fitness, such as whether Lewis Miley can play three games in a week. His XI: Hornicek, Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Elanga, Bamba, Ramsey, Toure, Willock, Wissa.
Ross Gregory's XI
Ross Gregory says the balance between momentum and rotation is difficult for Jaissle, and he would make five changes from the team that started against Liverpool. Out go Malick Thiaw, Lewis Miley, Yoane Wissa, Harvey Barnes and the injured William Osula. He would keep defensive changes minimal to build understanding, wants Jacob Ramsey in the No 10 role, and would give Bazoumana Toure a start. He is reluctant to start Woltemade as the figurehead but sees little choice given Osula's injury and Wissa's exertions.
Gregory's XI: Hornicek, Dedic, Schar, Botman, Hall; Bamba, Steur; Elanga, Ramsey, Toure; Woltemade.
