Eddie Howe’s men are aiming to bounce back from a horror show against Bournemouth last weekend. The Magpies lost 4-1, with their nine-game winning run coming to an abrupt end.
Southampton – as the Premier League’s rock-bottom club – provide the perfect opportunity for Newcastle to bounce back. Pundits are beginning to question whether the Saints will break Derby County’s dismal 11-point record from 2007-08.
Newcastle have Harvey Barnes, Callum Wilson, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles sidelined but are buoyed by Nick Pope’s return. That does, however, pose a selection dilemma between the sticks for Howe.
Speaking before the game, Southampton boss Juric confirmed that four first-team stars will miss out. While three are injured, the fixture has come too early for January arrival Grønbæk.
“At this moment we are a little bit more optimistic (about Dibling),” Juric said. “We will see next week. Next week we can say something more. He (Sulemana) won’t play against Newcastle as he has a little injury. He has a little problem with his hamstring and our medical staff are worried about that because he had problems in the past.
“I think, I hope, it’s nothing and from Monday he’ll start training with the team. Albert Grønbæk has come in as a loan and will be a good option for us to take a look at him for six months.
“He has only trained once with us today, I think it will be more likely for the next game. We had a problem with Rambo (Ramsdale), the goalkeeper. He did something yesterday on the training pitch, we will see tomorrow. I hope he will be fine.”
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