Newcastle predicted line-up vs. Burnley - £39m midfielder out among six changes

Fresh from an unexpected victory over Manchester City in the EFL Cup – their third on the trot in domestic football – Newcastle United are preparing to face Premier League newcomers Burnley at St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon, with Eddie Howe’s men set for a 3pm BST kick-off.

But while Newcastle have hit some fine form in the last couple of weeks, including a remarkable 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield United, they have hit a setback in the form of a serious foot injury for Harvey Barnes and a string of lesser knocks elsewhere in the squad.

Complete with all the latest updates from Eddie Howe’s Friday press conference, here is all the latest team and injury news, as well as a full predicted line-up, for Newcastle’s game against the Clarets.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Dutch defender Sven Botman is a doubt for the Burnley game due to a knee injury which kept him off the field against Manchester City, and there is as yet no confirmation as to whether he will be fit to play a part, with Howe saying he faces a “late check” in his press conference. Illness, meanwhile, has put a question mark next to the names of both Dan Burn and Martin Dubravka, so Howe may be forced to name a rather makeshift defence this weekend.

The good news is that Paul Dummett, who impressed against City but suffered issues with cramp in the later stages, should be fit and firing, which will help to plug any holes left by enforced absences, while the versatile Tino Livramento also had an excellent game filling in for Kieran Trippier on the right. Emil Krafth, the Swedish full-back, continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Midfield

The foot injury that forced Barnes from the field against Sheffield United, but it is expected to keep him out for around three months, although he won’t require surgery at least. Newcastle will have to hope that the in-form Anthony Gordon stays fit for the foreseeable future to avoid precipitating a serious injury crisis.

Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães is a minor doubt thanks to a painful ankle injury which he played through in midweek, while Joe Willock is a long-term absentee thanks to an Achilles injury sustained in April. No further injury concerns are expected, and Joelinton should be fit to play again after recovering from a knock in time to face City.

Forwards

Alexander Isak hobbled from the field with an apparent calf complaint in the second half on Wednesday and he too faces a late fitness test ahead of the match, while a hamstring issue meant that Callum Wilson missed out entirely - although Howe said he has “every chance” of featuring against Burnley.

If both are unavailable that would leave Howe without a recognised striker, and that could mean that Gordon plays in the number nine role with Lewis Hall deputising at left wing, as he did in midweek.

Full predicted line-up vs. Burnley

Pope; Burn, Dummett, Schär, Trippier; Joelinton, Tonali, Longstaff; Gordon, Wilson, Almirón.