Newcastle United welcome Nottingham Forest to St James’ Park in a Premier League clash Lewis Hall, Jamaal Lascelles, Dan Burn , Fabian Schär and Joe Willock

Newcastle United’s last game before the October international break sees Eddie Howe facing another selection dilemma.

After the thumping 4-0 win over Union SG in the Champions League in midweek, the Toon boss has a raft of options at his disposal for the visit of Nottingham Forest to St James’ Park. It’s a nice headache to have though.

Fabian Schar, Lewis Hall and Jacob Murphy could all come in, while Harvey Barnes and Will Osula will be champing at the bit after their cameos in Brussels. Equally, Howe could stick with the same line-up that did so well in Belgium.

Our writers have their say and predict the Newcastle starting XI.

Lee Ryder

Could Fabian Schar come in from the cold on Sunday to start in the Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest? It’s hard to see the now retired Switzerland international being left to stew over the two-week break without getting a decent slice of action now that he is back from concussion.

Newcastle want to sign off with a win at the weekend and will need freshness from the start. That’s why I think some stars will be rotated while others might get the nod.

That might mean disappointment for Malick Thiaw despite his brilliant display in Belgium in midweek. And I think Jacob Murphy also gets the chance from the start.

It would be a major temptation to start with Anthony Elanga against his old club, but imagine the mind games that could be had if he enters the field as an impact substitute regardless of the score?

Lee Ryder’s XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Joelinton, Tonali, Bruno, Gordon, Murphy, Woltemade.

Sean McCormick

In a season where rotation has been the name of the game, I would suggest Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Union SG should see Eddie Howe name an unchanged team for the visit of Forest.

For the first time this season, Newcastle’s attack clicked into gear and the first outing of the front three of Anthony Elanga, Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade in Brussels was highly impressive.

I would be tempted to throw Lewis Hall back into the team at left-back but Howe described managing his return from injury as a ‘complex situation’.

Given he is heading off on England under-21 duty during the international break it may be in everyone’s best interests to limit his game-time against Forest.

That would mean keeping the same back four that started in the Belgian capital while the midfield three picks itself. Jacob Ramsey’s return to action from the bench could give Howe some food for thought for the Brighton trip later this month.

Sean McCormick’s XI: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Gordon; Woltemade

Ross Gregory

In truth, the left-back decision is probably the only one for Eddie Howe to make.

I’d love to see Hall back fit and firing. He has the potential to be England’s left-back for the next decade. But listening to Howe in his Friday briefing, it seems like the youngster isn’t quite there yet.

Elsewhere, the forward trio need minutes together to get used to each other’s game. There were signs in Brussels of it starting to click. Therefore, it makes sense for me to go with an unchanged side if everyone is fit.

Ross Gregory’s XI: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Gordon; Woltemade

Stuart Jamieson

The international break is on the horizon, and for me that means no need to rotate too much. The momentum picked up by that win over Union SG needs to be maintained, so that means picking a pretty similar starting XI.

I would bring Lewis Hall back into the side to help his match fitness and perhaps give Dan Burn a breather, although that feels harsh on the big defender. Any four of the top-class centre-backs could start, but while it’s tempting to pit Burn against Chris Wood, I’m going for the mobility of Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman.

Up front, let the trio which did so well against Union continue to prosper – and that will only fire up Harvey Barnes, Will Osula and Jacob Murphy to ensure they make an impression from the bench.

Stuart Jamieson’s XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Elanga, Gordon, Woltemade.

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