All the latest from the 2pm BST kick-off at St James’ ParkBruce looks on bright side and hopes limbo can end soonEmail your thoughts to rob.smyth@theguardian.com 1.03pm BST Newcastle United (4-2-3-1) Dubravka; Manquillo, Lascelles, Fernandez, Rose; Hayden, Shelvey; Ritchie, Almiron, Saint-Maximin; Joelinton.Substitutes: Darlow, Schar, Krafth, Yedlin, Lazaro, Bentaleb, Carroll, Gayle, Muto.Sheffield United (3-5-2) Henderson; Basham, Egan, Robinson; Baldock, Berge, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; McBurnie, Sharp.Substitutes: Moore, Jagielka, K Freeman, Lundstram, L Freeman, Osborn, Rodwell, Zivkovic, Mousset. 10.03am BST Hello. During lockdown, Newcastle United became a moral compass, with endless chat about the rights and wrongs of their proposed takeover by a Saudi-based consortium. This afternoon, they revert to being a football club. This fixture at home to Sheffield United is their first since the 1-0 win at Southampton on 7 March, a game which, if I am to be honest, I had completely forgotten about.That win moved Newcastle very close to safety, a fine effort from Steve Bruce given the limitations of his squad and the pathetic abuse he received at the start of the season. If he has had a good season, Chris Wilder has ejoyed a spectacular one. Sheffield United will move up to fifth if they win today, a level of overachievement that verges on the surreal. Continue readingreadfullarticle
