Alexander Isak returns to the starting lineup in our predicted starting XI to face Fulham on Saturday

Eddie Howe finally has a couple of options available going into a match meaning we've actually had to think about our predicted lineup this time.

While there won't be wholesale changes, we have had to think about a couple of positions this time around which is novel after the last five teams picked themselves.

Newcastle will be desperate to get back to winning ways against Fulham after three consecutive defeats and we believe we've got the best XI selected to do that with one big question mark hanging over the side.

How we think we'll lineup to take on Fulham at St James' Park

Goalkeeper

Martin Dubravka - Not going to lie, we're nervous about this as he's been utter pants since he came in for Nick Pope but it is what it is.

Defence

Tino Livramento - Tino will get to play in his preferred position due to Kieran Trippier's suspension.

Jamaal Lascelles - Still no sign of Sven Botman so Lascelles will continue at the back alongside ...

Fabian Schar - Rightly or wrongly criticised for AC Milan's second goal on Wednesday, Schar is still a top player to have in the side.

Dan Burn - He may just be back from injury but the suspension of Kieran Trippier means he will be thrust into the lineup. Unless of course Tino stays left and Howe opts for Emil Krafth at RB.

Midfield

Sean Longstaff - Lewis Miley has been incredible lately, but Howe will want to go with more experience in the middle.

Bruno Guimaraes - Still not at his best right now but he's too important to drop

Joelinton - Nabbed our Player of the Match for three games running, surely he can't make it four in a row ... can he?

Forwards

Miguel Almiron - As much as he's getting on our collective nerves with his poor finishing here at nufc.news Towers, we have no better option available.

Alexander Isak - We simply don't think Callum Wilson will start two games in a row. As neither striker is fully fit Howe just has to play the odds.

Anthony Gordon - Question marks over his fitness mean he may not be fit enough to play but we're going with hope over common sense and putting him in.

There may be a couple of changes come tomorrow depending on Gordon's fitness test

If Anthony Gordon isn't passed fit enough to play tomorrow then we expect Matt Ritchie to be thrown in over Lewis Hall. Or, Joelinton pushed forward and Lewis Miley kept in the side alongside Bruno and Longy.

It's so nice to have options again, even if they are much weaker than we'd like. Progress is progress.

Howay the lads!