ALLAN SAINT-MAXIMIN has been selected in Newcastle United's starting side for this afternoon's Carabao Cup final with Manchester United - with Joe Willock only deemed fit enough to take a place on the bench.
Willock injured his hamstring in this month's draw with Bournemouth, and has lost his race to be fit to start today's game at Wembley.
As a result, Joelinton drops back to play alongside Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes in midfield, with Saint-Maximin starting in a wide-attacking role on the left.
Guimaraes returns from suspension, but with Nick Pope unavailable through a suspension of his own incurred after his dismissal against Liverpool, Loris Karius comes into the Newcastle side to make his Magpies debut.
Callum Wilson gets the nod to start in attack, with Alexander Isak named on the bench.
Marcus Rashford was a pre-match injury doubt for Manchester United, but the England international is fit and starts in Erik ten Hag's side.
NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Karius; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Longstaff, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin.
Subs: Gillespie, Lascelles, Ritchie, Targett, Isak, Manquillo, Murphy, Willock, Anderson.
MAN UTD (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst.
Subs: Heaton, Lindelof, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, Malacia, McTominay, Sabitzer, Garnacho, Sancho.
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