Willock and Wissa start as Newcastle face depleted Coventry

Joe Willock and Yoane Wissa start for Newcastle against Coventry, with the visitors setting up in a 4-2-3-1. Willock is named in midfield and Wissa leads the attack as Newcastle look to build on a league start that has brought one defeat in five matches.

Newcastle’s starting XI is Lukáš Horníček in goal; Lewis Miley, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall across the defence; Sean Steur and Willock in midfield; Jacob Murphy, Matías Fernández-Pardo and Harvey Barnes behind Wissa. Anthony Elanga, Ewen Jaouen and Tino Livramento are unavailable.

Coventry line up in a 3-4-2-1, with Carl Rushworth; Stephen Mfuni, Bobby Thomas and Ethan Pinnock; Caleb Yirenki, Frank Onyeka, Matt Grimes and Jay DaSilva; Jack Rudoni and Ephron Mason-Clark; and Brandon Thomas-Asante. Taiwo Awoniyi is suspended after a red card. Aurele Amenda, Haji Wright, Josh Eccles and Luke Woolfenden are also unavailable, leaving Coventry without five players.

The table gives the match added urgency for the hosts. Coventry sit 19th with three points from five games and arrive after four consecutive defeats. Newcastle are 11th on eight points, with just one loss in their opening five league matches.

Newcastle’s selection puts Willock and Wissa into the starting group for a meeting with a Coventry side missing five players. The hosts will need a response to their losing run to improve their position, while Newcastle have the chance to add to a steadier opening to the league campaign.