Burnley v Newcastle United team news as Esteve returns but big names miss out
Maxime Esteve comes straight back in for Burnley for their final game of 2025 against Newcastle United.
The Frenchman starts after missing Burnley’s last two games – against Bournemouth and Everton – with a knock.
He comes in for Bashir Humphreys, who impressed on Saturday in what was his first league start since February, but is still not 100 per cent match fit.
Scott Parker makes three changes in total from the weekend’s 0-0 draw against Everton, as Josh Cullen and Jacob Bruun Larsen both drop out.
Cullen misses his first league game of the season after suffering what looks to be a serious injury against the Toffees. We’re still awaiting official confirmation on what injury he’s suffered and how long he will be out for.
Florentino Luis takes his spot in the side, while Loum Tchaouna makes his first start since the defeat to Crystal Palace at the start of December.
Quilindschy Hartman and Zian Flemming both miss out altogether, with the latter understood to have picked up an issue. Hartman, meanwhile, is dropped again amid talk of a potential January departure.
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Youngster Oliver Pimlott is named among a depleted bench which also features Jaydon Banel.
As for Newcastle, former Claret Nick Pope returns from injury to start in goal ahead of Aaron Ramsdale, but fellow former Burnley man Kieran Trippier is out injured.
Eddie Howe makes three changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
TEAMS
Burnley: Dubravka, Walker, Laurent, Ekdal, Esteve, Pires, Florentino, Ugochukwu, Edwards, Tchaouna, Broja
Subs: Weiss, Humphreys, Pimlott, Sonne, Anthony, Banel, Bruun Larsen, Tresor, Barnes
Newcastle: Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali, Barnes, Gordon, Wissa
Subs: Ramsdale, A. Murphy, Shahar, Neave, Alabi, Ramsey, Willock, J. Murphy, Woltemade
Referee: Rob Jones
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