All eyes will be on the Newcastle United team sheet at 2pm on Saturday afternoon to see whether Chris Wood is in line to make his debut for the club.
The New Zealand international’s move was announced on Thursday morning and Magpies supporters will be desperate to see him pull on the black and white shirt for the first time.
There were doubts about Wood’s fitness when he arrived on Tyneside but, after pictures were released of him being involved in training, it looks as though he will be in contention for the clash with Watford.
Also captured in the training images was Jamal Lewis who has not been involved since he was withdrawn early in the defeat to Liverpool almost exactly a month ago.
At the time, Eddie Howe wasn’t convinced that the Newcastle fans would be seeing him in action for a while but the Northern Ireland international looks close to a return although, he is still unlikely to be risked.
As for another debut, in the league anyway, Kieran Trippier should retain his place at right-back, adding valuable experience to the backline.
They will need every ounce of the England full-back’s knowhow with a handful of defenders still missing as Federico Fernandez (injured) and Javier Manquillo (suspended) are ruled out.
Ciaran Clark may return to the side but, given he was having a tough time prior to his injury, Howe will probably choose from Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles for his centre-back pairing. The latter returned to training this week and will be itching to get back to action.
Elsewhere, Callum Wilson and Isaac Hayden will not be available with longer-term injuries that may lead to two months, or more, on the sidelines for both players.
In goal, there were worries that Martin Dubravka would be ruled out after he picked up a toe injury in the build-up to Cambridge’s winning goal in the FA Cup defeat.
However, his manager confirmed that ‘touch wood, he is going to be OK’ in his pre-match press conference meaning there is every possibility he will start between the sticks.
Full Newcastle United squad: Dubravka, Gillespie, Trippier, Dummett, Krafth, Schar, Lascelles, Lewis, Ritchie, Longstaff, Hendrick, Shelvey, Willock, White, Joelinton, Almiron, Fraser, Murphy, Saint-Maximin, Wood, Anderson
