Eddie Howe set to make ‘shock’ Newcastle selection call, it could benefit Sunderland
Eddie Howe has a selection dilemma at Newcastle United ahead of the trip to face Sunderland.
Sunderland will play host to Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light in the first Wear-Tyne derby in the Premier League since 2016.
Regis Le Bris will be confident of a bounce back after Sunderland lost 3-0 to Manchester City last time around.
Howe has already spoken out about Sunderland, with the Black Cats seemingly living rent-free in the Englishman’s head already.
The Magpies boss has big decisions to make in SR5, with Howe potentially set to make a call that the Mackems will love.
Nick Pope could make Newcastle United return
Newcastle have been backed to win against Sunderland, but may be set to hamper their own chances in the derby clash.
The St James’ Park club fell to a late draw in mid-week as Bayer Leverkusen netted an 88th-minute equaliser to snatch a point in the Champions League.
Howe’s men are still unbeaten in their last four matches, having won two and drawn two with Aaron Ramsdale in between the sticks.
Their last defeat came away to Marseille with Nick Pope in goal as he made a shocking mistake to throw away a lead, and he could be set to start against Sunderland.
The Chronicle have described this as a potential “shock derby recall”, with Howe left with a dilemma of who to start in goal at the Stadium of Light.
He said: “I don’t know with Nick, in particular. We’ll have to wait and see. I think Nick is the closest of all the players who are currently out.
“But I’m not sure quite how he feels. We’ll have to see.“
Aaron Ramsdale should still start for Newcastle vs Sunderland
The black and white striped outfit certainly have positive depth in the goalkeeping position, even if Pope has come under fire recently.
The ex-England international had a howler against Marseille in yet another moment where he opted to rush out of his box wrongly.
Ramsdale has brought stability to the Magpies, and his introduction has coincided with a positive run of results, despite the frustration away to Leverkusen.
Sunderland will likely prefer to face off against Pope, but there is no doubting that the Southampton loanee deserves to start once again.
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