Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that Jacob Murphy is set to return from a hamstring injury in time for Sunday's Premier League showdown with Nottingham Forest.

The 29-year-old has been absent from wins over Chelsea and Arsenal over the past couple of weeks, but Eddie Howe has confirmed that he is set to make his comeback at the City Ground.

Murphy's return leaves Sven Botman (knee), Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Kieran Trippier (thigh) and Callum Wilson (back) in the infirmary, while Matt Targett is also expected to remain out, despite returning to training after an Achilles problem and eczema flare-up.

While Murphy provides a different attacking outlet, Howe has no reason to alter the trio of Joelinton, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, the latter of whom combined for a spectacular winner against Arsenal last weekend.

Ex-Gunner Joe Willock had to come off midway through the second half of the 1-0 success over Mikel Arteta's side, but there is no concern over the midfielder, who has made himself at home in the Newcastle XI since returning from injury.

Willock should therefore form part of an unchanged midfield triumvirate with Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes, as Sandro Tonali controversially takes his seat on the bench again.

With Botman and Lascelles missing, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar pair up in the centre once more, while Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall - fresh from his first England call-up - complete Nick Pope's four-strong shield.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Gordon, Isak, Joelinton

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