Newcastle United predicted line-up vs Sheffield United as £160m trio dropped among four changes

Newcastle United’s ability to balance competing in the Champions League with contending in the Premier League and other domestic competitions will be tested for the first time this season on Sunday afternoon.

The Magpies battled their way to a hard earned goalless draw in their Champions League Group F opener in Milan on Tuesday night but are now focusing on their return to Premier League action when they visit Sheffield United this weekend.

Eddie Howe’s side ended a three-match losing run last weekend when Callum Wilson’s penalty helped them see off Brentford at St James Park and ensured his side could move into the top half of the table if they claim all three points at Bramall Lane and results elsewhere go their way.

Magpies boss Howe gave a hint he could make changing in his pre-match press conference on Friday morning as he looks to manage the workload of his players throughout a hectic period on their season.

He said: “Those that played haven’t trained. Physically they can’t — that would be negative taking more energy from them. We probably won’t train fully before Sunday. We will be ‘training’ — but not at maximum. I don’t think anyone can measure emotionally what Milan took out of us.

“We’re going to have to rotate the squad. We don’t want to make wholesale changes in any one game. I don’t think that does our rhythm any good. Tweaks as we go along.”

Two intriguing options Howe could utilise are young full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, with both Chelsea academy graduates still awaiting their first starts for the Magpies since moving to St James Park during the summer. Livramento has been handed just four minutes of on-field action as he came off the bench in the closing stages of a defeat at Manchester City in August and Hall is yet to feature, despite being named in matchday squads for the defeat at Brighton, last weekend’s win against Brentford and the midweek Champions League draw in Milan.

Howe discussed both players ahead of the trip to Bramall Lane, saying: “You will see them on the pitch. When? I am not sure. I will always pick a team that gives us the best chance of winning. Tino is training very well and is really, really good but he is fighting with Kieran Trippier who has been outstanding for us this season. Tino we see as being a huge part of our future and it’s the same with Lewis Hall.

“Lewis has come having played no minutes during pre-season, he’s an outstanding prospect. We’re building him up and he’s competing for that starting spot.”

Jacob Murphy was handed a surprise start at the San Siro and did not let Howe down with a hardworking display but there are several options wide areas for the United boss to consider - and that could also place Anthony Gordon at risk of dropping out of the starting eleven.

Alexander Isak is still without a goal since he scored twice in the opening day win against Nottingham Forest and the Sweden international struggled to make an impact in Milan in midweek. That could open the door for Callum Wilson to regain his place in Howe’s side after he grabbed the only goal of last weekend’s home win against Brentford.

There is another big call to make in the heart of Howe’s side as the former Bournemouth manager could opt to hand a start to young midfielder Elliot Anderson after he impressed in the win over the Bees. Sean Longstaff could remain in the starting lineup but summer signing Sandro Tonali could be rested as he continues to adapt to life in the Premier League.

Newcastle United Team News

There are several confirmed absentees from the Magpies squad with Brazil international Joelinton not expected to return until early October and fellow midfielder Joe Willock will not be available until after next month’s international break as he continues his comeback from an Achilles injury.

Swedish full-back Emil Krafth is another player that will remain out of contention until next month as he reaches the final stages of his comeback from a serious knee injury he suffered in a Carabao Cup win at Tranmere Rovers last August but goalkeeper Martin Dubravka should return to the squad after missing the game in Milan with a virus.

Full Newcastle United Predicted XI

Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff, Elliot Anderson, Miguel Almiron, Harvey Barnes, Callum Wilson.