Newcastle United supporters have made a big call ahead of the FA Cup Third Round clash with Sheffield Wednesday. The Magpies faithful have opted to start Martin Dubravka following his return from Manchester United.
The Slovakian international had spent the first-half of the campaign on loan at Old Trafford, looking to usurp David De Gea and become the Red Devils number one, but a lack of game time saw him return to St. James' Park. The loan move raised some eyebrows on Tyneside, with supporters questioning why Dubravka opted for the move when he could have battled with Nick Pope to become number one under Eddie Howe.
However, supporters have decided to rest Pope for the trip to Hillsborough and give Dubravka an opportunity to impress. That decision, should Howe follow suit, would then have knock on effects regarding a possible permanent departure in January.
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The Toon shot stopper has been linked with Leicester City in recent weeks, but appearing for the Magpies later this afternoon would make him ineligible for the Foxes having represented two clubs already this season. Elsewhere, Newcastle supporters have made wholesale changes to the side that drew with Arsenal.
Dan Burn keeps his place in defence, with Jamaal Lascelles, Jamal Lewis and Javier Manquillo coming in to rest key players with Leicester City in mind. Supporters would also keep Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff in the heart of midfield, but drop Joe Willock in favour of giving Elliot Anderson some minutes.
The Toon Army would also bring Chris Wood in to lead the line, with Jacob Murphy and Allan Saint-Maximin either side of the New Zealand international. The latter of the two wingers is yet to start since coming back from injury.
Newcastle United supporters' starting XI: Dubravka; Manquillo, Lascelles, Burn, Lewis; Guimaraes, Anderson, Longstaff; Murphy, Wood, Saint-Maximin.
You can follow all the action from Hillsborough in our live blog here.
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