Newcastle United v Bournemouth - Will the Magpies put things right?

Newcastle will again be without midfielder Mikel Merino. The Spaniard has picked up a back injury, and is expected to be out for another couple of weeks at least.

Isaac Hayden also had a slight muscle strain ahead of the Burnley game, which restricted him to a substitute role, but he is fully fit and ready to play on Saturday. He will probably partner Jonjo Shelvey in the midfield.

Paul Dummett is the other absentee. He has resumed training, but is nowhere close to returning to first-team action as of now. Javier Manquillo has looked comfortable at left-back and will likely continue to fill in.

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Florian Lejeune has had an indifferent start to his Newcastle career, and after a slight error in that Burnley defeat, it would not be a surprise to see Ciaran Clark come back into the defence.

The wingers are likely to remain the same again this weekend, with Matt Ritchie and Christian Atsu fighting off competition from £12 million man Jacob Murphy.

The big selection headache Rafa Benitez will have is who he decides to play up front. Joselu has struggled in the past few weeks, and both Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic are desperate for their chance.

Eddie Howe has numerous injury problems ahead of his side's trip to St James' Park.

Benik Afobe and Junior Stanislas have both been ruled out of the game. The former picked up a knock against Chelsea, whilst the latter has been struggling with persistent groin trouble for months.

They will join long-term absentees Tyrone Mings, Adam Federici and Brad Smith on the sidelines this weekend.

The Cherries also have doubts over the fitness of both Joshua King and Ryan Fraser. Should the pair not make it, Howe could be forced into playing Adam Smith on the wing again, and naming Callum Wilson in the starting eleven for the first time since January.

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Simon Francis could well have to play at right-back again, which would see Steve Cook and Nathan Ake continue their partnership in the centre of defence. Newcastle fan Charlie Daniels will definitely play at left-back.

Lewis Cook has impressed when he's been given the chance to play, and is likely to start for the fifth consecutive week. Dan Gosling, Harry Arter and top-scorer Andrew Surman are all options to partner him in midfield.

Former Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe looks set to feature against the Magpies, as he looks to add to his solitary goal this season.

Likely line ups:

Newcastle: Elliot, Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Manquillo, Shelvey, Hayden, Ritchie, Perez, Atsu, Joselu

Bournemouth: Begovic, Francis, Cook, Ake, Daniels, Smith, Cook, Surman, Pugh, King, Defoe

Score prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Bournemouth

The game has not been selected for Sky Sports TV coverage. You can also follow the match by tuning into BBC Radio Newcastle's live commentary, courtesy of the official NUFC website.