Newcastle United rely on rookies and rotation: Predicted XI to face Oxford

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Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez looks set to make many changes for the FA Cup Fourth Round tie against Oxford United.

Newcastle United will make the trip to Oxford United for an eagerly anticipated FA Cup tie – with the encounter being the first between the two sides for 24 years.

On that occasion, a 1993 Division 1 clash between Kevin Keegan’s Toon Army and Brian Horton’s U’s, it was Newcastle who emerged 2-1 victors – thanks to goals from Lee Clark and Andy Cole.

Looking towards this weekend’s clash, Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez would surely appreciate a striker of Cole’s calibre – as the 56 year-old Spanish boss is without many of his attacking threats.

Top scorer Dwight Gayle remains out with a hamstring injury, whilst a decision on Aleksandar Mitrovic’s recovery from a deep cut against Birmingham City will be made before selection is confirmed.

Benitez looks set to rest many of his Championship charges, with many squad players expected to be drafted in to face Michael Appleton’s League 1 side.

Goalkeeper Matz Sels could be handed the gloves as the Cup replacement for Karl Darlow – with the Belgian stopper playing behind a back four consisting of DeAndre Yedlin and Achraf Lazaar either side of Scottish central defensive pair Grant Hanley and Stuart Findlay.

Findlay, the 21-year-old defender signed from Celtic last summer, looks set to keep his FA Cup place in the side – having made his Newcastle bow in the previous round against Birmingham.

Another relative rookie for Benitez, 20-year-old Dan Barlaser, is also expected to get the nod to line-up against Oxford. Barlaser may well be afforded his second start after – in similar fashion to Findlay – making his debut in the 3-1 Third Round victory earlier in the month. It is anticipated that Barlaser will line up in midfield alongside the more established Jack Colback, the enigmatic Cheick Tiote and the more dependable talents of Matt Ritchie.

Newcastle will once again look towards 33-year-old Daryl Murphy – who, with goals in his last two appearances, has undergone somewhat of a mini-resurgence in Gayle’s absence – to provide an attacking focal point for Benitez’s chosen XI. Supporting the 23-capped Republic of Ireland man from an attacking midfield role is likely to be Jonjo Shelvey.

Meanwhile, Oxford welcome on-loan forward Toni Martinez into contention after the West Ham player joined the U’s at the start of the week – and Appleton also has the added benefit of calling on the fit again defensive duo of Christian Ribeiro and Sam Long.