Newcastle United legend Shay Given is confident both Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson will start for the Magpies in Wednesday's crucial Champions League clash against AC Milan.
The Magpies must beat their Italian opponents to have any chance of progressing to the last 16 and hope PSG fail to beat Borussia Dortmund in Germany.
Should Eddie Howe's side avoid defeat they will, at worst, move in to the Europa League in 2024 but a defeat will end their involvement completely in European competition this term.
Howe had been without 12 first team players since the return to club football after November's international break and has had to start with the same 10 outfield players for each of the last five matches, giving Newcastle's fit players very little respite within that 15-day period.
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But Longstaff and Wilson both returned to action from the bench in Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and Given has suggested the pair could start on Wednesday to give Howe the chance to mix his team up.
“The same 10 players are starting every single game, it’s very difficult," Given said on Match of the Day 2. "Longstaff and Wilson came off the bench which is obviously a plus but when you’re into double figures for players injured, and key players who’d be starting, they’re missing them big time.
“The Champions League has had its toll playing in midweek, Premier League in midweek and traveling around so you really feel for Eddie Howe but hopefully there’s a few more players back for Milan. As I say there’s a few plusses with Longstaff and Wilson back and they’ll play on Wednesday perhaps.”
