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Team news: Wood and Joelinton start against Chelsea
Written by Tom Easterby
Chris Wood and Joelinton have both been handed starts by Eddie Howe as Newcastle United go in search of a fifth consecutive Premier League win when Chelsea arrive at St. James' Park (5:30pm kick-off).
Former Burnley forward Wood, who came off the bench to score at Southampton last weekend, and Brazilian enforcer Joelinton - who missed last Sunday's 4-1 win through suspension - were both restored to the United line-up for the midweek Carabao Cup victory over Crystal Palace, when Howe's side prevailed on penalties to book their place in the fourth round.
And the pair have have been picked again as Newcastle look to topple Graham Potter's side on Saturday evening, with England frontman Callum Wilson - who was named in the Three Lions' World Cup squad along with Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier this week - on the bench with Allan Saint-Maximin.
Pope starts in goal behind a familiar back four of Trippier, Fabian Schär, Sven Botman and Dan Burn, with Joe Willock, matchday programme cover star Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton lining up in the middle of the park.
That leaves Joelinton and Miguel Almirón - winner of both the Premier League's player and goal of month awards in October - to provide support for Wood in attack.
Wilson and Saint-Maximin are both among the substitutes, along with Jamaal Lascelles, Javier Manquillo and Matt Targett.
Head coach Howe has further options to pick from in the shape of Jonjo Shelvey, Elliot Anderson and Jacob Murphy.
Newcastle United: Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schär, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Joe Willock, Bruno Guimarães, Sean Longstaff; Joelinton, Chris Wood, Miguel Almirón.
Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Javier Manquillo, Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Targett, Jonjo Shelvey, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy, Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson.