£63m man returns with Lewis Hall in starting XI - Our predicted lineup as Newcastle face Brighton

Eddie Howe doesn't have many big calls to make going into the game against Brighton on Saturday but there is still scope for a surprise or two.

Despite the squad not being as depleted as last season, we appear to be settling into a rhythm when it comes to selecting our predicted lineup.

Alexander Isak has recovered from his broken toe and will be available tomorrow so there's no doubt he'll be back in the starting lineup.

One area we're never sure which way to call is the left-back role with Lewis Hall and Lloyd Kelly pretty much interchangeable at this point. Joe Willock is another one who we could see starting, but if Sandro Tonali and Joelinton are both fit we think they just edge out Willock.

Goalkeeper

Nick Pope - Definitely no surprise here. Unless he's injured he's going to start every Premier League game.

Defence

Tino Livramento - With Kieran Trippier out for a few weeks with a hamstring injury it's time for Tino to really put his marker down for this role.

Fabian Schar - Mr Dependable rides again and he will be fresh given he no longer partakes in the internationals for Switzerland.

Dan Burn - Facing his old club and celebrating a new contract, BDB should be looking forward to this one.

Lewis Hall - Could be Lloyd Kelly but we're going with Hall. Whichever it is, they've got to stop Yankuba Minteh so they're going to be in sharp focus.

Midfield

Sandro Tonali - Played in both games for Italy during the break but he should have enough in the tank to go again on Saturday.

Bruno Guimaraes (c) - Bruno played a game and a half for Brazil, proving Dorival Junior that one does not simply drop Bruno Guimaraes. May be a bit tired from travelling but he is captain so he'll be playing.

Joelinton - Big Joe has been hit and miss so far this season but you can never write the big man off.

Forwards

Jacob Murphy - Murphy is preferred to Miguel Almiron anyway, but Miggy will only just get back from International duty today so is unlikely to oust Jacob.

Alexander Isak - The £63 million man has to get his shooting boots back on but the rest of the lads also have to get him in the game more.

Anthony Gordon - Still likely to edge out Harvey Barnes despite the former Leicester man being in fine form. Barnes works best as an impact sub anyway.

There's always a possibility that Howe goes with Barnes and Gordon together, but he's spoken often about how both are best suited to the left side of the attack and given his love of Jacob Murphy, we think he'll stick with the tried and tested front three.