Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says he will have to find a way to get key midfielders Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali into his team.
Tonali has started only four Premier League games since his return from a 10-month worldwide ban at the end of August, with head coach Howe struggling to find a balance in midfield.
The former AC Milan player has been on the bench for the last three matches while Guimaraes has been virtually ever-present during his time with the club.
Asked ahead of Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace if the pair can start together, Howe said: “Anything is possible. Of course they can. They are two outstanding players.
“It’s up to me to try and find a solution that works for both players and sees their qualities within the team.
“You can put any player into the team and any combination of players into the team, but it’s got to be to the team’s benefit. It has to be right for both players to showcase their attributes, so hopefully we can do that.”
Eddie Howe on away form:
“We have to be positive in every respect. The league is still so tight and consecutive wins can elevate you. Our last away performance was very strong and I see no reason we can’t deliver that again.” pic.twitter.com/Dz3G7VYRcP
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) November 29, 2024
Team news
Guimaraes has been a doubt for the game with injury but Howe said he should be fine to start, along with fellow Brazilian Joelinton.
“They have a chance to play,” Howe said. “They are not serious injuries, so we will make a decision today.
“Most players are fit, which is a position we weren’t in at all last season, maybe at the start of the season we were but that soon ebbed away with the huge amount of injuries we had. Certainly you want that squad depth, especially in this month.”
