OPINION
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez is expected to hand club record signing Miguel Almiron his first start for the club against Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
The Magpies winger made a second half cameo off the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out, but Benitez looks set to give the Paraguayan a full debut against the Terriers.
Almiron’s arrival in the starting line up will likely see Christian Atsu drop to the substitutes bench, while Matt Ritchie can also expect to miss out with Paul Dummett back to full fitness at left wing back.
Those will surely be the only two changes made by Benitez for what looks set to be a crunch clash at St James’ Park.
Martin Dubravka has had a bit of a rough time recently due to a couple of high profile mistakes. However, he remains a top class goalkeeper and Benitez will likely keep faith with him here.
The centre back trio of Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar and Florian Lejeune are firmly entrenched in Benitez’s plans at the moment, and so will almost certainly start once again.
DeAndre Yedlin is the only real choice at right wing back for Newcastle and so will surely keep his place on Saturday. As mentioned, Dummett is now back to full fitness and therefore will probably return in place of Ritchie on the left hand side.
In central midfield Sean Longstaff and Isaac Hayden have impressed hugely since the turn of the year and therefore will likely keep their places despite intense competition at the position.
Ayoze Perez is a Benitez favourite and can expect to start in an attacking midfield role, while Almiron will surely come in for Atsu in an exciting change. Salomon Rondon, as usual, can expect to start up front.
