Martin Dubravka pushing for return in Eddie Howes first game as Newcastle boss

New Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has a decision to make over his goalkeepers ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with promoted Brentford.

Martin Dubravka made his first appearance since suffering a foot injury during the summer in Slovakia’s 6-0 World Cup qualifier victory in Malta on Sunday and is now pushing Karl Darlow for a return to the Magpies starting line-up.

Paraguay frontman Miguel Almiron was due to return from international duty on Friday, while defender Paul Dummett remains the only man on the casualty list with a long-term calf problem.

Brentford’s Mathias Jensen is available after spending the international break in quarantine after testing positive for Covid.

Fellow midfielder Yoane Wissa is edging closer to rejoining the squad after a month out with an ankle problem while central defender Matthias Jorgensen faces a late fitness test.

Shandon Baptiste is in contention for a squad place after six weeks out with a dislocated shoulder.

Newcastle provisional squad: Darlow, Dubravka, Manquillo, Murphy, Ritchie, Lewis, Krafth, Fernandez, Clark, Lascelles, Schar, Hayden, Shelvey, S Longstaff, Willock, Hendrick, Fraser, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Wilson, Joelinton, Gayle.

Brentford provisional squad: Fernandez, Henry, Pinnock, Jansson, Jorgensen, Norgaard, Jensen, Mbuemo, Janelt, Canos, Toney, Cox, Thompson, Goode, Roerslev, Stevens, Onyeka, Bidstrup, Forss, Ghoddos, Baptiste, Wissa.