Newcastle predicted lineup vs Chelsea - Premier League

From the depths of the early-season table, Newcastle United host top spot's Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

In Newcastle's first home game since Steve Bruce's departure, with his former assistant Graeme Jones filling in as caretaker, the club goes in search of its first win, or clean sheet, of the nine-game-old league season.

After an uninterrupted week back on the training pitch, here's the lineup Jones may call upon in a redeployment of his favoured split-striker system.

Newcastle predicted lineup vs Chelsea - Premier League

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Karl Darlow (GK) - As one of the few senior goalkeepers actually fit, Darlow's position between the sticks is unquestionable.

Javier Manquillo (RB) - One of a surprisingly populous group to have played on both sides of the Tyne-Wear derby, Manquillo has been first choice since the opening month of the season.

Jamaal Lascelles (CB) - As captain and defensive leader of a team that has conceded more home league goals (43) and kept fewer home league clean sheets (two) than any other Premier League side in the division since the start of last season, Lascelles has his work cut out against Chelsea.

Ciaran Clark (CB) - With two to his name, Clark has only scored more goals against Arsenal (three) in his career than against Chelsea.

Matt Ritchie (LB) - The only player to have featured in every minute of Newcastle's league season this term, Ritchie is unlikely to be left on a Premier League bench for the first time since March.

2. Midfielders

Isaac Hayden (CM) - The 26-year-old's only Premier League goal in his last 73 appearances incidentally came against Chelsea. It's unlikely (for many reasons) that he'll add to that tally on the weekend, but it's a near certainty that he'll be given a chance to do so from the start.

Sean Longstaff (CM) - Up against a foe he glowingly described as 'unreal', Longstaff at least won't underestimate Chelsea's Jorginho even if the Ballon d'Or nominee 'can't really run great'.

Miguel Almiron (CM) - Despite failing to even begin to replicate his Atlanta United output on Tyneside - having clocked up a goal or assist every 129 MLS minutes, Almiron has plummeted to an average of one goal involvement every ten on-pitch hours - the Paraguay international's work ethic is still valued.

Joe Willock (AM) - Playing through the pain barrier for the whole of October, Willock may need another injection to dull the throbbing of his toe long enough for a start.

3. Forwards

Allan Saint-Maximin (ST) - A pure agent of chaos, the Premier League's second-most prolific dribbler (some way behind Adama Traore) is out in front when it comes to being dispossessed this term.

Callum Wilson (ST) - As a collective Newcastle may not be firing, but individually, Wilson has been enjoying the form of his career with six goals in his last six Premier League appearances.