Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe must make two enforced changes for Tuesday night’s crunch clash with Norwich City – and must select a new skipper. The former AFC Bournemouth boss will be without both Matt Ritchie and captain Jamaal Lascelles after the duo collected bookings during the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium. It means that Jamal Lewis comes back in contention at left-back while Federico Fernandez may also be back in from the cold. When asked if others should stake their claim,
Eddie Howe said: “Absolutely. That’s what the game’s all about. We’ll have to see what we can do in regards to the players who can’t play.”
Howe was not too down about the defeat after seeing some positive moments during the defeat in the capital.
Eddie Howe said: “Yeah I think again going through the game there were some really positive signs for us. Martin Dubravka played very well today. You know you’ll need a very good defensive display. The first 35 minutes I thought we were very good. We just began to sit deeper and deeper.”
Norwich’s 0-0 draw at home to Wolves moved the Canaries on to nine points but if Newcastle can beat them on Tuesday, they will move ahead of them and off the bottom on goal difference.