Newcastle: Howe faces tough decision with team selection for Marseille test

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has conceded he faces a difficult selection decision concerning full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall for their Champions League clash with Marseille with Kieran Trippier out injured.

Livramento and Hall were instrumental for Magpies on Saturday as they returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a stunning 2-1 win over Manchester City.

That was Livramento’s first appearance since suffering a knee injury against Arsenal in September, while Hall made his first start since February.

Newcastle boss faces dilemma

Hall was forced off in the 77th minute with what Howe believed to be cramp, and the manager accepts that the quick turnaround has left him with a tough call with both first-choice full-backs only recently returning and right-back Trippier out for an undetermined period.

Asked about whether both Livramento and Hall will start, Howe told his pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s encounter at the Stade Velodrome: “That is the decision I have got to make really.

“I have to consult the medical team and sports science team and come up with the right decision for both players.

“They are so important for us as you saw on Saturday. With Kieran’s injury, we are not quite sure how long he will be out.

“That leaves us short of options for that position. It’s a decision that I have to make overnight, for this game, but also protect them.

“I’ve said many, many times this season that trusting the squad is really important. We have a squad of players who will be desperate to play.

“I do trust everybody but I think we have the depth to play these games. But playing the same players in every game will not help us achieve our objective.

“Every game is different, certain players will suit certain games so that is the decision I have to make.”

Newcastle have Emil Krafth back available after he missed out on the win over City. Krafth can cover both full-back spots, while Dan Burn has played regularly at left-back in his absence. Malick Thiaw can also operate as a full-back but Howe will likely be reluctant to move him from the centre of defence following the German’s excellent form in that role since joining from AC Milan.

Howe’s side have taken nine points from a possible 12 so far in the Champions League. Victory in Marseille would further solidify their position in the top 24 of the league phase and serve as a huge boost to their hopes of finishing in the top eight and going straight through to the last 16.