Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has some big questions ahead of his sides trip to Wolves on Sunday, with fitness concerns not alleviating some of the problems faced by the 59-year-old.
The fitness of his stars isn’t the only decision hanging over the head of the Toon manager, Bruce must decide whether Paraguay attacking midfielder is worthy of a return to the starting XI having been omitted in recent weeks and reportedly becoming ‘frustrated’ by the lack of match action.
One major issue Bruce will be hoping can resolve itself in time for kickoff is the knock suffered by goalkeeper Karl Darlow. Speaking on Friday in his pre-match press conference, the Magpies boss described his number one choice as ”sore.”
With 48 hours before the match, there remains a possibility Darlow will take his place in the black and white’s goal, however, should he not make it in time it’ll hand a Premier League debut to Geordie Mark Gillespite since he arrived from Motherwell in the summer.
Central midfield duo Sean Longstaff (ill) and Isaac Hayden (hamstring) are also doubts for the difficult trip to Wolves, the absence of both men would be a huge dent to the side.
Bruce’s selection did receive a boost by the return to fitness of trio Matty Longstaff, Ciaran Clark, and Paul Dummett, who all turned out for the Tynesiders U23 side as they beat their Fulham counterparts 2-1 earlier this week.
Here’s how we think Bruce will line his team up…
