NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Jamaal Lascelles and Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United warm up during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match against FC Barcelona at Newcastle United Training Centre on September 17, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)placeholder image
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Jamaal Lascelles and Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United warm up during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match against FC Barcelona at Newcastle United Training Centre on September 17, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United were forced to leave four senior players out of their UEFA Champions League squad list.
It’s 28 years this week since Tino Asprilla’s hat-trick earned the Magpies a 3-2 victory over the Catalan giants at St James’ Park.
And Eddie Howe’s side will be hoping for a repeat of that famous night as they look to go one better than 2023-24 and reach the knockout stages of the competition.
Newcastle United duo ruled out through injury - but Anthony Gordon back
Newcastle will be without new signings Jacob Ramsey and Yoane Wissa, with neither player expected to return before the October international break.
Ramsey picked up an ankle problem on his first start for the Magpies at Leeds United last month, while Wissa is yet to make his debut after picking up a knee injury on international duty with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
But United will be boosted by the return of Anthony Gordon. The 24-year-old has missed the last two matches against Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers and will also miss Sunday’s trip to AFC Bournemouth through suspension.
However, Gordon’s three-match ban does not carry over to the Champions League, making him eligible against Barca.
UEFA squad regulations rule four Newcastle United players out vs Barcelona
Howe can name as many as 12 substitutes for Champions League matches, with injuries to Ramsey and Wissa opening up two spaces in the matchday squad.
However, those spots are set to be filled by two under-21s players - most likely Max Thompson and Alex Murphy - with the four remaining fit senior players - Jamaal Lascelles, Harrison Ashby, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie - left out of the 21-man Champions League squad list.
The only way Lascelles or Ashby can be included in the squad now is if a long-term injury or illness occurs. This does not apply to goalkeepers.
UEFA Article 31.14 states: “An injury or illness is considered long-term if it lasts at least 60 days as of the day the injury or illness occurred”.
But in order to make the change, UEFA writes: "The club must provide UEFA with the necessary medical evidence in one of UEFA's official languages. Before confirming the replacement, UEFA may require further medical examination of the outfield player by an expert appointed by UEFA at the club's expense.”
It is a loophole that has already been exercised by Newcastle’s Premier League rivals Chelsea. Facundo Buonanotte has replaced Dario Essugo, who has undergone thigh surgery and will be sidelined until the turn of the year.
UEFA adds: “If the outfield player recovers before the end of this 60-day period, the player remains nonetheless not eligible to participate in any UEFA club competition (i.e. UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League or UEFA Conference League), until the end of such period.”
Newcastle United’s UEFA Champions League squad rules explained
UEFA rules allow clubs to submit a ‘List A’ of up to 25 players, if they include four ‘club-trained’ players. But in this instance, the Magpies could only name a squad of 21 due to the lack of club-trained players.
A club-trained player is any player registered with their current club for at least three full seasons between the ages of 15 and 21, regardless of nationality.
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Having sold academy graduates Elliot Anderson and Sean Longstaff in recent summers, the only first-team player to fit that criteria is 19-year-old Lewis Miley, but he doesn’t need to be named on ‘List A’ due to his age. He will instead feature on ‘List B’.
Unlike the Premier League, players born on or after January 1, 2004, do need to be named in the ‘List A’ unless they have been eligible to play for their club for an uninterrupted period of two years.
It was this rule that saw Lewis Hall named in Newcastle’s ‘List A’ during their previous Champions League campaign as a new signing but is now eligible for ‘List B’ and won’t take up a squad place.
Newcastle United’s Champions League squad in full
Newcastle United Champions League ‘List A’
Goalkeepers: Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth, Dan Burn, Malick Thiaw, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman
Midfielders: Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Jacob Ramsey, Joe Willock.
Forwards: Yoane Wissa, Nick Woltemade, William Osula, Jacob Murphy, Anthony Elanga, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon.
Newcastle United Champions League ‘List B’
Lewis Hall & Lewis Miley.
An unlimited number of players can be named on ‘B List’ and they can be submitted by midnight the day before a match in order for players to be eligible to play.
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