Gordon out, Ramsey starts - Confirmed Newcastle and Bournemouth team news

Newcastle United take on AFC Bournemouth at St James' Park at 3pm, with the Magpies desperate for three points.

Bournemouth come to Tyneside in good form, a stark contrast to the hosts, who are in dire need of something to cheer about this afternoon.

A win would go a long way towards lifting the mood around Newcastle, whereas a defeat, well, we'll just have to see at full time if that happens, but our prediction is the noise inside the stadium will not be a pleasant one.

There has been some mixed news for Eddie Howe in terms of player availability, which has informed the gaffer's decision for today's team selection.

Confirmed line-ups

Newcastle XI: Ramsdale - Livramento, Botman, Thiaw, Hall - Ramsey, Tonali, Miley - Elanga, Osula, Barnes

Substitutes: Pope, Trippier, Wissa, J. Murphy, Woltemade, Willock, Burn, A. Murphy, Bruno G

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Truffert, Senesi, Scott, Evanilson, Christie, Tavernier, Jiminez, Kroupi Jr, Hill, Rayan

Substitutes: Mandas, Brooks, Gannon-Doak, Adams, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Enes Unal, Toth

Howe's selection explained

It was reported at around 1:30pm that Anthony Gordon had picked up a slight hip injury in training. It's enough to keep him out of today's game, but it's not thought to be a long-term issue.

After Eddie Howe's comments on Friday, when asked about Gordon's future, and Howe said that any player who isn't giving 100% won't play, it's crucial that the club put out the information about Gordon's injury before the team news to avoid more hastily scribbled, rage-baiting headlines.

Bruno Guimaraes has been battling with the club's medical department to be allowed to play today, and it looks like a compromise was reached as the Brazilian is here but starts on the bench.

Elsewhere, Eddie Howe had made a couple of big calls after last week's lacklustre outing. Jacob Murphy has been dropped for Anthony Elanga after the winger had little to no effect on the game last week. Jacob Ramsey replaces the suspended Joelinton, but perhaps the biggest surprise is that Tino Livramento keeps his place despite another poor outing. 

We'd have thought Kieran Trippier would have been called upon, especially as he would provide that extra bit of leadership that was so lacking last week. 

Sandro Tonali has been handed the captain's armband today, with Dan Burn, Trippier, Jacob Murphy and Bruno all on the bench.

Some big calls. Let's see how they pan out. Howay the lads!