The Magpies could field a weakened strike-force, with Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak carrying knocks, while defenders Sven Botman and Dan Burn are also hoping to shake off a few niggles.

"Callum we are going to see today. It's a very minor hamstring injury so we are going to give him every chance to be available for the game," said Howe.

"The same with Sven Botman, we are going to make a late check on him. Dan Burn has had some illness but we think he will be OK. Alex is another one we will make a check on."

Howe pointed out that these types of injuries come with the territory, once teams are required to play three games a week.

"That is the cost of the three games we had last week. It's usually the third game, these things usually build up. That's where we are," he continued.

"It's totally different to last season where we could train game to game. We are still training thoroughly but in a much more condensed time.

"The challenge for the players is to recover physically and mentally for each game."

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