Eddie Howe could again turn to some of the club's Academy stars to boost his bench for today's huge Premier League clash with Chelsea at St James' Park. The Magpies are without Joelinton, Lewis Hall, Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Targett, meaning their bench is stretched for the final games of the season.

Sven Botman's return to the squad has come as a timely boost for Howe as he plots the final steps to a top-five finish and a return to the Champions League, while Anthony Gordon is back to full fitness after injury and suspension curtailed his recent gametime. Even without the injured quartet, United have strong squad for today's must-not-lose game with Chelsea.

Joe Willock, Lewis Miley and Sean Longstaff will again compete to fill Joelinton's shoes in midfield, while Howe is almost spoiled for choice up front. Gordon is pressing for a starting place, but faces stiff competition from Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy, while Callum Wilson looked sharp in his second-half appearance at Brighton.

Will Osula gives Howe added options from the bench, with Sean Neave likely to make the squad, if not the bench. Leo Shahar featured for United's Under-18s in a 3-3 draw with Manchester City on Saturday, while Travis Herne could provide midfield back-up if needed.

"We know the importance of where we finish in the Premier League, and we're doing everything we can to finish as high as we can," Howe said of today's game. "I think we've all said in this room there's a possibility it'll go to the last game. All we can do is take care of our next opponent and sort of try and give everything we can to win, and it'll be a difficult game. I think Chelsea are a good team, and we've played them twice already this season so we know their qualities. I think Stamford Bridge was one of our hardest games this season."

Chelsea head north wthout the injured Christopher Nkunku and Wesley Fofana, with Enzo Maresca expected to make a raft of changes from the side which beat Djurgardens 1-0 to book a place in the Conference League final.

Newcastle United squad vs Chelsea

Goalkeepers

Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka, John Ruddy

Defenders

Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Emil Krafth, Sven Botman

Midfielders

Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff, Lewis Miley, Travis Hernes

Forwards

Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Callum Wilson, Will Osula, Sean Neave.