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Lloyd Kelly is expected to make only his fifth Premier League start for Newcastle United against Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon.
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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is being forced to change his centre-back pairing with Fabian Schar suspended. And with Emil Krafth (broken collarbone) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) still sidelined, Howe has little choice but to field a left-footer alongside the left-footed Dan Burn.
"With our two right-sided centre-halfs being out, Fabian's suspension and Emil injured, it's going to be difficult to find a right-sided solution,” Howe confirmed to NewcastleWorld.
“You rarely see two left footers but two right footers it’s actually quite standard and normal,” Howe added. “I’m going to have to make what I believe is the right call for this game.
“Of course there is going to be a change because Fabian, who has been really consistent for us, will be missing but whoever I pick will have their unique skill set added to the team. You have to try and look at it as a positive.”
The Magpies are set to be boosted by the return of Sven Botman to the matchday squad for the first time since he underwent ACL surgery in March. A place among the substitutes is likely, rather than an immediate to the starting XI.
That puts Kelly in pole position to make his first start since he replaced the suspended Burn for the 2-0 defeat at home to West Ham United on Monday, November 25.
In the summer of 2023, Kelly was subjected to a £20million bid from Spurs, which AFC Bournemouth rejected. A year later, the 26-year-old joined Newcastle on a free transfer.
It has been a frustrating start to life at St James’ Park for Kelly. He has made just 12 appearances in total, six of which have been starts, while he has been an unused substitute in the last eight fixtures.
“Yeah it has [been a difficult start for Lloyd] but I think that has been down to the form of the lads that have played,” said Howe. “Lloyd is a versatile player, he can play a number of positions. Yeah I think the form of Dan and Fabian at the heart of the defence has been really strong, especially of late, I think we look good defensively so I think that is always a position that is difficult for us to rotate too much.
“I prefer to keep a settled back four and to not chop and change. I think the stability of your team is based on relationships but Lloyd is training hard, he’s training very well and he’s waiting for his chance.”