Eddie Howe will now be in the process of deciding his Newcastle United starting XI for Sunday’s game against Sunderland.
The anticipation for the Tyne-Wear derby is building, and now Eddie Howe can focus all of his attention on the game at the Stadium of Light.
He already has a few selection dilemmas, with Lewis Miley pushing to start ahead of Joelinton and uncertainty over who gets the nod out wide.
But now the Newcastle United manager may have another dilemma, as Aaron Ramsdale’s position in the starting XI might not be guaranteed.
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Name the four missing players from our starting lineup when we last played Sunderland in the Premier League!
One is still at the club!
Nick Pope could be available for the Tyne-Wear derby
After joining Newcastle on loan from Southampton in the summer, Ramsdale is finally enjoying a run in the starting XI.
He has started Newcastle’s last four games, with Nick Pope’s groin injury ruling him out.
While there was a clamour for him to get a chance, Ramsdale has been unconvincing since replacing Nick Pope. He has not kept a clean sheet in any of the last four games, with Ramsdale particularly poor against Spurs.
The 27-year-old is nowhere near as good a shot-stopper as Pope, and now Howe could have the chance to recall his number one.
Following Newcastle’s draw with Bayer Leverkusen, Howe has confirmed that Pope has an outside chance of being available for the derby on Sunday.
If Pope is passed fit then Howe absolutely must restore him to the starting XI. He is fundamentally a better goalkeeper than Ramsdale, and is much better suited to the physical threat that Sunderland pose.
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If Pope is fit, should he replace Ramsdale against Sunderland?
Ramsdale has looked unconvincing for me, but Pope's form was poor before the injury…
Newcastle United must be wary of Sunderland’s record from set pieces
So far this season, Sunderland have scored eight Premier League goals from set pieces.
That is something that Newcastle United must be wary of, and it is a key reason why Pope should start ahead of Ramsdale if fit.
Since coming into the side, Ramsdale has struggled to cope with crosses coming into the box. He has been anything but commanding, with Newcastle conceding twice from corners in recent weeks.
The loanee does not look imposing at all. It sounds odd, but he looks small in between the sticks.
It is a different story for Pope, whose size and stature gives Newcastle United much more protection from set pieces.