Gordon & Isak start vs Girona - Team news from St James' Park for Sela Weekender

The team sheets are in at St James' Park ahead of tonight's opening game of the Sela Weekender, where Newcastle United take on Girona; an in-form Spanish side who finished third in La Liga last season.

Here's the side Eddie Howe has gone with for the 7.30pm kick-off:

NUFC XI: Pope - Livramento, Krafth, Burn (c), Hall - J. Miley, Joelinton, Longstaff - Murphy, Isak, Gordon.

SUBS: Ruddy, Gillespie, Heffernan, Parkinson, Stanton, Harrison, Hernes, Munda, Sanusi, Shahar.

It's great to see Anthony Gordon return for his first start after his extended break, with Alexander Isak leading the line, Joelinton in midfield alongside Jamie Miley and Lewis Hall starting at the back along with Tino Livramento and Nick Pope.

For the visitors, former Man Utd duo Daley Blind and Donny Van de beek both started, with Spurs loanee Bryan Gil out wide for the La Liga side.

The likes of Joe Willock, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Lloyd Kelly, Miguel Almiron, Harvey Barnes, Bruno Guimaraes and new signing Will Osula miss out but are all likely to play in tomorrow's 4pm clash with Stade Brest, where Howe will pick an entirely different XI.

Sandro Tonali is ineligible once again and misses out along with Wilson (back), L. Miley (foot), Botman (ACL), Lascelles (ACL), Targett (Achilles), Dubravka, A. Murphy (hip), White (back) and Kuol (knee).

On the bench there's a host of U21 talents such as Trevan Sanusi, Leo Shahar and Alfie Harrison, with veteran goalkeeper John Ruddy also in the squad and looking for his first appearance since arriving on a free transfer.

• 22nd July – SpVgg Unterhaching 1-3 Newcastle (⚽ Barnes ⚽ Murphy ⚽ Isak)
• 27th July – Hull City 0-2 Newcastle (⚽ Isak, ⚽ Murphy)
• 31st July –  Urawa Red Diamonds 1-4 Newcastle (⚽ Isak, ⚽⚽ Murphy, ⚽ Hall)
• 3rd August – Yokohama F. Marinos 2-0 Newcastle
• 9th August – Newcastle vs Girona (7.30pm )
• 10th August – Newcastle Women vs AC Milan Women (1pm)
• 10th August – Newcastle vs Stade Brest (4pm)

https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1821962922999919030