Confirmed Newcastle team v Sunderland as Elanga, Tonali, Gordon, Miley all start

The confirmed Newcastle team v Sunderland has now been announced.

Eddie Howe’s side looking to make it 13 points from a possible 15 in the Premier League, since the November internationals.

Obviously no ordinary match.

The first derby game since Newcastle United thrashed Sunderland 3-0 in January 2024.

Whilst it is the first Premier League derby since 2016.

The Newcastle United players knowing that a win would guarantee them at least ninth in the table at the end of the weekend fixtures, possibly going as high as seventh depending on other results.

Newcastle team v Sunderland:

Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Miley, Bruno, Gordon, Woltemade, Elanga

So Eddie Howe making two changes from  the eleven that started against Bayer Leverkusen.

IN

Miley, Elanga

OUT

Joelinton, Barnes

Subs:

Ruddy, Joelinton, Schar, Wissa, Barnes, Alex Murphy,  Jacob Murphy, Ramsey, Willock

So both Joelinton and Harvey Barnes dropping to the subs bench.

Meanwhile, still no Nick Pope, who Eddie Howe earlier in the week said was close to being available once again.