Newcastle United v Manchester City team news: Eddie Howe has made six changes to his side for the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Newcastle United have been handed a welcome double injury boost ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City at St James’ Park.
The Magpies are looking to defend the Carabao Cup after ending a 70-year trophy drought by winning the competition last season.
And their defence has gone well so far with wins over Bradford City, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham to reach the final four of the competition for the third time in four seasons.
The semi-final will take place over two legs, with the second leg taking place at the Etihad Stadium on February 4 (8pm kick-off).
Newcastle have several injury concerns heading into the match with several players ruled out and just four fit senior defenders.
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Newcastle United injury news
Newcastle are without Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, William Osula and Dan Burn for the match, with the latter back at St James’ Park but on media duties for the game.
But The Magpies are boosted by the returns of two wingers for the match.
Jacob Murphy missed Saturday’s FA Cup win over Bournemouth as a precaution following a hamstring issue picked up against Crystal Palace.
Fellow winger Anthony Elanga has missed Newcastle’s last five matches due to a knee injury.
But Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe suggested both players had a chance of being involved in his pre-match press conference.
“The two wingers have a possibility,” Howe claimed. “We'll see how they get on today. Dan [Burn] will be a couple of weeks further back.”
Now, it has been confirmed that the pair are back in the matchday squad. While it’s a welcome injury boost for Howe, it does little to address the defensive injury crisis.
Newcastle United confirmed XI v Manchester City
Howe made six changes to his side that progressed against Bournemouth last time out in the FA Cup. The most notable change sees Murphy come straight back into the side while Harvey Barnes, fresh from scoring back-to-back braces, drops to the bench against a side he also scored a brace against the last time Newcastle faced Man City back in November.
NUFC confirmed XI v Man City: Pope; Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Guimaraes, Ramsey, Joelinton; Murphy, Gordon, Wissa
Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Tonali, Barnes, Elanga, Woltemade, Willock, A.Murphy, Neave
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