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Bruno return, Trippier role, Miley chance - Newcastle United starting XI calls made vs Bromley

Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Eddie Howe has a welcome selection poser ahead of Newcastle United's FA Cup third round tie at home to Bromley today. The Magpies return to St James' Park brimming with confidence after a stunning run of results on the road.

Superb wins at Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal - the latter in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night - has boosted United's season. All three were hard-fought victories, however, and fatigue and injuries are starting to come into play.

United will be able to welcome back both Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar after they missed the Arsenal game through suspension. However, Howe has already confirmed that Alexander Isak will be rested after he got a slight niggle at the Emirates, while Sven Botman's fitness is also a potential issue after the Dutch defender made back to back starts following nine months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

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Elsewhere, the Magpies manager can look to give game time to a number of players who have been on the fringes recently, including homegrown midfield duo Sean Longstaff and Lewis Miley, while Miggy Almiron and Ashley Barnes could freshen up the attack in Isak's absence. We asked our team of NUFC writers to pick their starting XI for the match - here's who they have selected.

Lee Ryder

It feels like Eddie Howe has pretty much a blank canvas going into this game but he still needs to name an XI that will get the job done. Bromley may pose as a plucky lower league side but Andy Woodman is a shrewd operator and knows St James' Park very well so his players will be well briefed on what to expect from the surroundings.

Just like a Premier League side, Bromley have their own team of analysts and will have a good idea of what each Newcastle star is capable of. So Howe is right to not take this game lightly.

There are a number of players in need of a breather so my choices are based on a mix of quality and bringing in fresh legs. It means much-needed minutes for the likes of Kelly, Targett, Almiron and Osula with a range of trustworthy options and a change between the posts.

My predicted NUFC XI: Vlachodimos, Trippier (c), Schar, Kelly, Targett, Longstaff, Willock, Miley, Almiron, Barnes, Osula

Ciaran Kelly

Newcastle United need no reminding of the potential pitfalls of a home tie against lower league opposition. It was just three years ago that the Magpies were knocked out by Cambridge United at this very stage of the competition in Eddie Howe's first cup game in charge.

I certainly would not underestimate Bromley - that's why Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes are among those in the starting line-up - but this is also a rare opportunity for a number of players to get some much-needed game time. Odysseas Vlachodimos has yet to make his full competitive debut; Matt Targett has not started a game since November, 2023; and Lewis Miley has not lined up from the off in nearly a year.

My predicted NUFC XI: Vlachodimos, Trippier, Schar, Kelly, Targett, Bruno, Longstaff, Miley, Almiron, Osula, Barnes

Aaron Stokes

I'll be honest I would like to see Eddie Howe make 11 changes for this tie given Newcastle's run of late and the fixtures to come - but the boss hinted on Friday that he may not go for sweeping alterations for the St James' Park showdown. As such, I'l try to take a punt on who could retain their spot.

I think it'll be a back five of Odysseas Vlachodimos, Kieran Trippier, the returning Fabian Schar, Lloyd Kelly and I'm going to go with Lewis Hall over Matt Targett. In midfield I think we see Bruno Guimaraes play alongside Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff, which means another game on the bench for Lewis Miley.

In attack, I suspect it'll be the obvious choice of Miguel Almiron, William Osula and Harvey Barnes as the starting trio.

My predicted NUFC XI: Vlachodimos, Trippier, Schar, Kelly, Hall; Bruno, Longstaff, Willock; Barnes, Osula, Almiron.

Ross Gregory

Change the lot. If you're fit and didn't start against Arsenal, then this is the game for you to show your worth.

It's not a case of disrespecting Bromley but Newcastle should be able to start a completely different XI against the minnows and still comfortably win. Away from home, Howe may have thought twice but at St James' Park, it should still be a banker.

Of course, Wimbledon showed they would be no pushovers earlier this season. United will have to play with the same energy, commitment and focus that they have throughout their winning run, but I'd have Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimareas in the side who will ensure standards don't drop.

It will be a big day for Odysseas Vlachodimos and Will Osula to prove they were worthy of summer moves. If they can't shine in this game then they really have no future at the club.

My predicted NUFC XI: Vlachodimos, Trippier, Schar, Kelly, Targett; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Miley; Almiron, Osula, Barnes

Stuart Jamieson

United's squad should be good enough to make wholesale changes and still have plenty of quality to get the job done on Sunday. With a midweek Premier League game against Wolves on Wednesday, there is no reason to risk anyone. That said, this is a big opportunity for squad players to remind Howe of their abilities. Kieran Trippier, Harvey Barnes and Sean Longstaff would all love more gametime, so this is their chance to underline their quality.

It would be great to see Will Osula open his United account after coming so close against AFC Wimbledon, but I'm most looking forward to Lewis Miley's potential return. He has real class but has understandably found it hard to break back into the side following injury - this is a great time for him to shine.

My predicted NUFC XI: Vlachodimos, Trippier, Schar, Kelly, Targett, Longstaff, Miley, Guimaraes, Amiron, Barnes, Osula

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What's your starting XI for tonight? Pick your Newcastle United here side and see how it compares with the most popular line-up.