While the likes of Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Miguel Almiron jetted off on international duty, the majority of Eddie Howe’s squad remained on Tyneside during the break.
And the two week break could see the Magpies welcome back as many as four players against Brighton, who sit sit one place above their hosts in 6th on goal difference.
It is hoped strikers Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson will return with their absence meaning Anthony Gordon has had to lead the line in the last two league matches versus Manchester City and Everton.
Isak has been suffering with a broken toe while Wilson has been sidelined since July because of a back injury.
“You’re always going to miss your strikers,” Howe said after the goalless draw at Goodison Park. “You take a number nine out of your team and you miss them and the two we’ve been missing are top players. They’re both different but you can see there’s elements of our game where we’re just missing that spark.
“In part that’s down to them but Anthony and the group have done incredibly well to play on without them. We’ll be delighted to get them back when we can but there’s no guarantee of that, we hope in the next two weeks you can see both of them back in training.”
Meanwhile, Lewis Miley could make the squad having trained this week following a lengthy spell out with a fractured metatarsal, as could Martin Dubravka after the bruising around his knee healed.
Here’s how NewcastleWorld are predicting Newcastle United to line-up:
Pope’s clean sheet at Everton last time out was his and Newcastle’s first since the opening day win over Southampton.
1. GK: Nick Pope
Pope’s clean sheet at Everton last time out was his and Newcastle’s first since the opening day win over Southampton. | Getty Images
Livramento is in line for a recall with Kieran Trippier, who has started the last three Premier League games, a doubt through injury.
2. RB: Tino Livramento
Livramento is in line for a recall with Kieran Trippier, who has started the last three Premier League games, a doubt through injury. | Getty Images
The retired Switzerland international has started every game he’s been available for this campaign.
3. CB: Fabian Schar
The retired Switzerland international has started every game he’s been available for this campaign. | Getty Images
We understand Burn picked up a knock in training earlier this week, giving Newcastle a scare. However, he’s still in line to feature.
4. CB: Dan Burn
We understand Burn picked up a knock in training earlier this week, giving Newcastle a scare. However, he’s still in line to feature. | Getty Images
