Howe could start 19-year-old Newcastle man if Guimaraes fails fitness test

With six matches to play in just over three weeks, Eddie Howe will need to start managing his Newcastle United squad.

Rotation is always difficult, especially when your starting line-up is playing so well.

Club-record signing Alexander Isak has been ruled out until after the World Cup.

Thankfully for Howe, Callum Wilson is almost back to full fitness and completed nearly 80 minutes at the weekend.

Kieran Trippier is being assessed ahead of tonight, and Howe will be desperate not to lose his stand-in captain.

However, another concern will be Bruno Guimaraes, who came off with an injury at the end of the game at Old Trafford.

If he’s unable to feature today, Howe could give 19-year-old Elliot Anderson his first Premier League start.

Anderson has been in the matchday squad for all-but-one of Newcastle’s games this season.

Before the match against Manchester United, he had come off the bench in five out of the last six Newcastle games.

Howe could start Anderson tonight amid Guimaraes fitness concern

“When you have the three-game week like we are in the middle of now, every day you wake up and feel better for a night’s sleep.

“Hopefully everybody will be OK but we wait and see.”

When Guimaraes came off against Manchester United, Joe Willock was brought on in his place.

The match was in the balance at the time, and although bringing on Anderson would have been a statement of intent, it wasn’t the right moment.

At home against Everton, Newcastle could do with a player with more attacking impetus.

Lampard has been setting his side up in a very defensive shape, typically with two holding midfielders in front of a back four.

Anderson could be deployed to disrupt Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye, and bridge the gap between Newcastle’s midfield and front three.

Howe could start the ‘incredible’ Anderson for this reason.

It would give the academy graduate the chance to make a full debut in front of the St. James’ Park faithful.