Willock and Minteh start - Confirmed Newcastle and Brighton teams for 2pm kick-off
The team sheets are in at the AMEX, where Newcastle United take on Brighton in today's massive 2pm kick-off on the South Coast.
Win and we’ll move back up to third, going back above Man City, five clear of Aston Villa and piling the pressure on Chelsea ahead of their 4.30pm clash with Liverpool.
Here’s how the two sides line up…
Team news
Newcastle XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Barnes.
Subs: Dubravka, Miley, Longstaff, Wilson, Krafth, Osula, Gordon, Botman, Neave
Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Wieffer, O'Riley; Minteh, Welbeck, Adingra.
Eddie Howe has gone with Joe Willock once again in Joelinton's absence, naming the same 11 that helped us to a 3-0 win over Ipswich last Saturday.
This means Anthony Gordon continues on the bench, along with Sven Botman, Will Osula and Lewis Miley.
Brighton are without Joao Pedro (banned) and Karou Mitoma also misses out despite suggestions he was fit, but Jan Paul Van Hecke returns at centre-back, with ex-Mag Yankuba Minteh starting down the right.
Howe's pre-match comments
Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Howe shared his outlook heading into our four final games and discussed the test Brighton will pose at the AMEX; a ground we've not won at since 2017:
On final four games – “You want to be in control of your destiny. I think with four games to go we are, but we’re very aware it can change in one round of games. There’s no let up for us. Our run of results has been impressive but what we don’t want to do is tail off right at the end so tough fixtures to come but we believe in the team.”
On Joelinton’s injury – “The likelihood is that it will be difficult [if he will play again this season]. But with Joe you never rule him out. He’s so motivated to try and come back. He had a bit of discomfort in his knee last week before the game so we sought specialist opinion and the opinion was it was nothing serious but he needed a period of rest so he’s now in Brazil. We’ll wait and see if we can get him back before the end of the season but the likelihood is probably not.”
On Brighton test – “I think we always have a tough game against Brighton. We’ve had some good results at St. James’ Park, historically, but not so much this season with the two games we lost. I thought they were really tight and could have gone either way.
“They’re a very good team, it’s a good atmosphere and it’s good for the away team as it’s a lovely pitch. We would back ourselves against anybody but certainly know we’re going to have to play at our very best because it’s never an easy game there.”
Howay the lads!
