A look at the latest Barcelona injury news and updates ahead of the Champions League clash with Newcastle United at St. James' Park on Thursday night
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is a doubt for the Champions League clash with Newcastle United this week.
Newcastle United are gearing up for their biggest game of the season when they welcome Barcelona to St. James' Park on Thursday night. Eddie Howe's side will hope they come out on the right side of a result, with the emphatic 4-0 win over PSG still fresh in the memory from the 2023-24 Champions League campaign.
Hansi Flick's side come to town later this week and have been training in Spain ahead of the trip to the North East, fresh from a 6-0 win over Valencia. The Toon picked up their first win of the season against Wolves on Saturday, with Nick Woltemade scoring the winner on his debut.
Champions League nights under the lights are always memorable occasions at St. James' Park, and Thursday night's promises to be special. With that in mind, Chronicle Live has taken a look at the latest from the Spanish media regarding Barcelona injury news and a warning for Flick's side.
Lamine Yamal injury update
Sport claims Lamine Yamal remains a doubt for the clash with Newcastle later this week, having picked up an injury on international duty with Spain.
They state that Barcelona's young star did not train on Monday or Tuesday after missing the 6-0 win over Valencia in La Liga at the weekend and remains in a 'state of flux.'
The club is keeping the 18-year-old on a 'tight leash', with him reporting for training later than his teammates. The report claims Yamal is all but ruled out of the trip to Tyneside and states he won't be part of the group that travels to the North East.
Marca adds that Yamal will need a 'miraculous recovery' to be ready in time to play the Magpies, having only done work in the gym. They claim that former Leeds United winger Raphinha will be the most likely replacement in the starting XI.
Newcastle United's 'ruthless monsters'
Sport has warned Barcelona to 'watch out' for Newcastle United's 'ruthless monsters' in this week's Champions League clash at St. James' Park. Hansi Flick's side have scored 13 goals in just four league games so far this season, conceding just three times, but have warned the Catalan club not to take Eddie Howe's side lightly.
The paper explicitly mentions Newcastle's midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, and Sandro Tonali as one of the best in Europe, calling them 'ruthless monsters' despite not being the biggest names in the competition.
The report claims the latter of the trio is the 'undisputable master of the midfield' following his return from his football ban for betting offences.
The report states: "None of the three compromises on their defensive efforts, forming a midfield that fits together perfectly and is one of the best in Europe."
It warns Flick's side to be prepared for the pressure cooker that is 52,000 supporters crammed into St. James' Park.
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