Nick Woltemade starts for Juventus tonight against Rennes in Europa League

Nick Woltemade will start for Juventus against Rennes this evening, Luciano Spalletti has confirmed.

Newcastle fans can watch the Europa League game at the Allianz Stadium live on TNT Sports 5, with kick-off at 5.45pm tonight (Thursday 22 October).

Speaking at yesterday's press conference, Spalletti said:

"Kolo Muani and Woltemade will be in the starting line-up."

Big Nick has scored in both of his Europa League starts, as we noted in Monday's Loan Watch. All five of his Serie A appearances have come from the bench, so he is still waiting for that first league start.

He was introduced at half-time in Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Lazio, having scored in the 2-1 win at Celta Vigo three days earlier.

No clamour for a January return

It speaks volumes that we're crying out for creativity and attacking nous, yet bringing Nick Woltemade back in January barely gets a mention.

There's an opening there for a player with his touch and ability to link play, but his lack of mobility makes it hard to see him improving this attack. When we're this short of ideas and still aren't looking in his direction, it feels like we've already moved on.

His race at Newcastle already feels run (or meandered, which is probably more his pace).