Eddie Howe has a selection dilemma ahead of Newcastle United vs Barcelona.
While the Newcastle United squad is much stronger than it was for the last Champions League campaign, injury problems are already persisting.
Yoane Wissa is injured and will miss Barcelona, which limits Eddie Howe’s ability to rotate his strikers. That will not be a major concern for fans, who are desperate to see Nick Woltemade again after his blistering debut on Saturday.
Woltemade was outstanding, hitting the ground running in black and white. However, he also discovered just how intense English football is and was cramping up early in the second half.
That could influence Howe’s starting XI against Barcelona, as he also needs to take into consideration Sunday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
Eddie Howe speaks to the media ahead of Newcastle United's Champions League game against Barcelona.
Photo by Harriet Massey/ Newcastle United via Getty Images
Eddie Howe does not confirm whether Nick Woltemade will start against Barcelona
Ahead of Newcastle United vs Barcelona, Howe addressed the media.
The Newcastle United manager was asked whether starting Woltemade against Barcelona and Bournemouth would be a risk.
“We’re trying to take everything into consideration when we’re picking the teams at the moment,” he said.
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“We’re having an eye on the future, as in future games, to make sure whatever team we pick is balanced.
“The priority is to always win the next game. But we’re of course looking ahead to who we have available with future games in mind.
“Team selections aren’t always straightforward. There’s a lot that goes into it.”
Anthony Gordon’s suspension is the problem for Newcastle United
Anthony Gordon is available to play against Barcelona in the Champions League, despite his domestic suspension. He is expected to start, with the winger named in Geordie Boot Boys’predicted Newcastle XI.
He will miss Sunday’s trip to Bournemouth, however, whereas Woltemade is available for both games.
That has resulted in suggestions that Gordon could start up front against Barcelona and the giant German could be preserved for the game at the Vitality Stadium. That would protect Woltemade’s fitness, having cramped up on Saturday.
However, as long as he can be managed, it feels essential that Woltemade starts against Barcelona. This is a seismic, potentially season-defining game. Eddie Howe needs his best XI out there, and it is his first chance to unleash what looks like his most exciting front three of Woltemade, Gordon and Anthony Elanga.
While Howe has admitted he does have one eye on Bournemouth when it comes to his team selection, that hopefully will not lead to him benching Newcastle’s most expensive signing.