Here is how we expect Newcastle United to line-up for their Championship encounter with Aston Villa.
Championship table-toppers Newcastle United host Aston Villa on Monday evening – with history and recent form both on the Magpies side.
Indeed, not only are Newcastle out-performing Villa in this season’s Championship, but the Toon have an outstanding record in the history of this fixture – with their only defeat this millennium coming in an 2005 clash synonymous with the in-fighting of Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer.
Ahead of Monday’s clash, Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has a mixed bag of news regarding availability of two of his key first team stars. Forward Dwight Gayle, still the club’s top scorer this campaign, is set for a first start since mid January having missed four games with a hamstring injury.
Whilst Gayle made a return as a late substitute in the midweek draw with Norwich City, midfield regular Isaac Hayden is set for a spell on the sidelines – having struggled to manage a long-standing ankle issue, which now requires surgery.
In early team news, goalkeeper Karl Darlow is expected to govern a strong back four, consisting of DeAndre Yedlin, Paul Dummett and the central defensive pairing of Ciaran Clark and captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Jack Colback is most likely to stand-in for Hayden, although Mohamed Diame may also push for a start in Benitez’s engine room alongside Jonjo Shelvey. Wingers Matt Ritchie and Yoan Gouffran are expected to provide support and service from the flanks to forwards Ayoze Perez and the returning Gayle.
Here is the predicted Newcastle United line-up in full:
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