Newcastle United predicted XI v Brighton: two key changes made as big decision taken on £80m trio

Newcastle United have one sole aim during the final week of the Premier League season as they look to secure a second successive season competing in European competition.

As it stands ahead of Saturday’s final home game of the campaign against Brighton, Eddie Howe’s men are sat in sixth place in the table and know they will feature in Europe again next year if their points tally from their final three games is better than Chelsea and Manchester United. It’s the Red Devils who will provide the opposition in midweek before the Magpies bring down the curtain on a season full of challenges at Brentford next weekend.

But first and foremost, it’s a home clash with an unpredictable Brighton side, who are capable of bloodying the noses of the best sides in the Premier League, despite struggling to match their impressive performances of last season. Howe has a number of major calls to make ahead of the meeting with the Seagulls as he looks to seize some reward from a season that has tested his ability to the limit.

Newcastle United team news

There are some signs of the Magpies lengthy list of injuries finally receding as Howe welcomes several big players back into contention ahead of a big final week of the season. Last weekend’s win at Burnley saw something of a triple boost for the United boss as Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Nick Pope all returned to the matchday squad - although the latter remained an unused substitute as Martin Dubravka continued to impress in goal.

Another leading light within Howe’s ranks is also closing in on a comeback after England full-back Kieran Trippier returned to full training this week and a big decision is lying in wait over whether the former Atletico Madrid defender is handed an immediate recall to the starting eleven.

That’s the good news - but there are still a whole host of absentees for Howe to contend with. Fabian Schar is unlikely to feature again this season with a hamstring injury and fellow Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman are both in the early stages of their rehabilitation after undergoing surgery on anterior cruciate ligament injuries. An Achilles injury has left Joe Willock to focus on returning for pre-season and promising midfielder Lewis Miley’s season was brought to a premature end when he damaged his lower back.

Matt Targett’s return date is still unknown after the former Aston Villa left-back is tendonitis in his Achilles. Sandro Tonali also remains on the sidelines as he continues to serve the long-term suspension he was handed for breaching gambling regulations in Italy.

Newcastle United predicted starting XI

Dubravka, Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Hall, Guimaraes, Longstaff, Joelinton, Barnes, Gordon, Isak.