Eddie Howe has hinted at changes against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup - but how many?
Jacob Ramsey has been told exactly what he needs to do to stay in Eddie Howe's starting XI as he struggled to find a way past the Magpies' star trio of Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
The £43m man has featured in just 142 minutes this season since his big money move from Aston Villa last summer. The former England Under-21 star picked up an ankle injury early in his United career at Leeds back in August.
And Howe's continued selection of Joelinton, Bruno and Tonali has made life difficult for Ramsey - even when the Brazilian pair were jaded away at Brighton and still got on the team sheet ahead of Ramsey.
Howe has no doubt Ramsey has what it takes to succeed on Tyneside but suggested he is not fully fit. With the Tottenham Hotspur clash in the Carabao Cup seemingly a good opportunity to give Ramsey a start, Howe said: "I think Jacob is doing well, I think he's in a good place. I think he'll have benefited from the couple of outings he's had recently.
"The big thing for him at the moment is being physically at his best. If he is, then his technical qualities will shine."
Howe could look at changing his midfield to give Ramsey a chance while Lewis Miley will also be eyeing more minutes in the engine room. Joe Willock has played just one minute of football in October so far after a cameo against Benfica in the Champions League.
Defensively, Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth and potentially Jamaal Lascelles are all due a game. Starting William Osula - the hero in round three with two goals against Bradford City - is also a big decision to make.
But Howe said he must get his selection right and hinted that he won't make too many changes against Spurs. He went on: "It is important for this game to make the right decision - we want to progress. The competition means a lot to us, we are current holders, we don't want to give that up easily.
"However, I have a squad, I need to try and get the balance right. There are players who need the football."
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