Newcastle could freshen up their midfield options in the Carabao Cup fourth round against Tottenham
Newcastle continue the defence of their Carabao Cup crown on Wednesday evening when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to St James' Park.
And while Eddie Howe will take the competition seriously - Newcastle have reached two finals and lost in the quarter-finals via penalty shootout across the last three seasons - he will also use it as a chance to refresh his starting line-up as they continue to compete across four different fronts.
With two Premier League away trips and next week's Champions League clash against Athletic Bilbao looming large, Newcastle will have to look after their players who have played the most minutes so far this season.
And that could apply to their midfield - particularly with Bruno Guimaraes who has started every game since returning from a gruelling international break earlier this month with Brazil in the Far East of Asia.
The Magpies skipper is expected to be rested from the starting XI for the visit of Spurs and he will likely be replaced by Sandro Tonali in the middle of midfield after he did not start the last two matches through illness.
Lewis Miley has started the last two games so he could come out of the side on the right-hand side of the front three, and that could see Howe hand an opportunity to Joe Willock a rare opportunity from the start.
The 26-year-old has become something of an outcast this season and has only made four appearances this season - with just one of those coming from the start in a 0-0 draw with Bournemouth.
Jacob Ramsey made just his second start of the season in the win over Benfica last Tuesday and he was an unused substitute on Saturday in the win over Fulham. It would therefore be a surprise if he does not start on the left-hand side of the midfield three in place of Joelinton.
With Newcastle still competing in four competitions this season, rotation is key. Should that be the starting midfield trio, it will see Howe start with those three players in the starting XI for the very first time this season.
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