The Magpies are going to have to shuffle the pack on Sunday with at least one senior star set to be left unhappy
16:16, 02 Oct 2025Updated 16:17, 02 Oct 2025
Newcastle defenders Dan Burn and Fabian Schar(Image: Getty Images)
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has arguably never had it so good in terms of defensive options during his time in charge at St James’ Park.
And when Nottingham Forest come to Tyneside on Sunday for a crunch clash, Howe faces the prospect of upsetting one of his influential dressing room leaders. Playing five at the back and Tino Livramento’s injury have eased Howe’s selection a little bit in the last couple of matches.
But picking two from Fabian Schar, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, and Dan Burn in the centre-back department is a tough old choice for Howe.
That’s also without mentioning Jamaal Lascelles, still club captain, who is available again after an enforced rest against Union SG after being left out of the Champions League roster.
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If we are talking about a flat back four, even putting Burn at left-back does not fully resolve having an unhappy camper to deal with this weekend. Benching Thiaw would be a big call while leaving out influential – and fit again – Swiss veteran Fabian Schar will require a difficult conversation.
Botman and Thiaw are arguably first choice in the eyes of many but rotation may well have to come into play. Moving Burn to left’-back also means Lewis Hall sitting out.
Sooner or later, it is going to cause a headache for Howe but he has coped admirably with the situation to date.
Speaking about rotating, Howe has said: “We take it on a game by game basis so after Barcelona it was a case of who we felt would be fatigued going into Bournemouth and trying to pick a team to win that game, then we do the same again, depending on who is fresh and who we feel might need a rest.
Of course, Howe has many other selection dilemmas on his plate at the minute and the fight for places isn’t exclusively a centre-back thing.
He said last week: “layers took their opportunities to impress. That only galvanises the group in our long term mission to win consistently.”
Whatever way you look at it, this is a good problem to have and it feels a world away from the team picking itself two years ago.
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