Nick Woltemade returns - Our predicted Starting XI for Newcastle United to face Manchester City on Saturday

Newcastle United are in FA Cup action on Saturday night as Manchester City come to St James' Park for the third time this season. Kick-off is at 8pm live on TNT Sports.

The FA Cup is looking like Newcastle's biggest chance to salvage something positive from this campaign, as our Premier League position is looking like it's going to be below where we'd have expected before the season got underway.

That's not us saying that this season has been a disaster, mind. We're still in the FA Cup, we got to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, and we're still going in the Champions League.

Hopefully, that will all still be true when we wake up on Sunday morning, having beaten Manchester City on Saturday night. This is the team we think Eddie Howe will deploy to do just that.

Goalkeeper

Aaron Ramsdale - Even if Rambo hadn't usurped Nick Pope in midweek, he'd likely have been in for this game as he's the cup keeper.

Defenders

Kieran Trippier (c) - Tino Livramento is getting closer, but at best, we think he'll be on the bench for this one.

Malick Thiaw - The German continues to be a solid force at the back for Newcastle.

Sven Botman - It could still be Dan Burn, who was fantastic on Wednesday, but we also think Howe may want to rest the big man.

Lewis Hall - The unflappable, unstoppable, big bright light of our season.

Midfielders

Nick Woltemade - Jacob Ramsey is suspended after that stupid sending off on Wednesday, and Big Nick has shaken off his illness.

Sandro Tonali - The Italian continues to impress in midfield in the absence of Bruno Guimaraes. He picked the perfect time to rediscover his form.

Joelinton - J7 has been nothing short of sensational in his last three outings. If he can keep it up, he can drive us on to victory.

Forwards

Anthony Elanga - Still needs to work on his crossing, but he looked a lot better on Wednesday and should be rewarded with another place in the starting XI.

Anthony Gordon - Could Eddie Howe spring a surprise and play Will Osula here? He could, but he probably won't.

Harvey Barnes - Has really gone off the boil of late, but you can never fully write him off.