**Rico Lewis has been excluded from the Manchester City squad at Newcastle United for Saturday evening’s Premier League clash in the North-East.**
City arrive at St James’ Park pursuing a third consecutive Premier League victory with confidence high following their dominant 3-0 win over Liverpool prior to the final international break of 2025.
Pep Guardiola, pleased with the rhythm and stability of his side, opted to name an unchanged starting line-up for the third league match in a row, having also openly spoken about the importance of balance across all thirds of the pitch.
The fixture also holds historic potential, with Erling Haaland entering the match just one goal away from becoming the fastest player in Premier League history to reach 100 goals. Achieving the milestone on the home turf of the current record-holder, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already high-profile encounter.
City’s bench carries its usual depth, featuring a mix of attacking threats and defensive reinforcements, which makes Rico Lewis’ omission all the more notable. The 19-year-old has been an important rotational presence, featuring at full-back and midfield, and his versatility often earns him a place among City’s travelling contingent even when he does not start.
But with the two starting line-ups now confirmed, Lewis is the most notable absentee from the Manchester City matchday squad that was not announced by Pep Guardiola prior to his line-up selection at St James’ Park.
According to the [Manchester Evening News’ Tyrone Marshall](https://x.com/TyMarshall_MEN/status/1992265993683411314), Lewis’ absence is purely a ‘tactical decision’ and not due to any injury having been sustained by the England international ahead of the contest.
Rico Lewis’ omission is unlikely to be anything more than a one-off adjustment, particularly as Pep Guardiola often tailors his bench to the specific demands of an opponent. Against a physically robust and transitional Newcastle side, prioritising height, strength, and aerial presence may have been the decisive factor.
The teenager remains highly valued, and with City facing a congested schedule across domestic and European competitions, rotation is expected. Lewis will almost certainly have a significant role to play, especially with his ability to invert into midfield and offer control in tight matches.
Should City maintain their current winning momentum, competition for minutes will remain fierce, but Lewis has already shown enough maturity and tactical intelligence to convince Guardiola he can be trusted in key moments.