PSG v Newcastle United team news: Eddie Howe has provided an update on his squad ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash.
Guimaraes missed Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa due to an ankle injury picked up against PSV Eindhoven in Newcastle’s previous Champions League fixture last week.
The Magpies face holders Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening (8pm kick-off).
Howe’s pre-match press conference was delayed by an hour as Newcastle’s travel plans were disrupted by the adverse weather caused by Storm Chandra.
“The journey over was fine,” Howe explained. “It was just the wait before. We were on the tarmac ready to go and the winds were too high for us to take off.
“The pilot was looking after our safety first, and just as we were probably about to call time on it and possibly look at an alternative arrangement, he felt it was good to go and he got us here safely.”
Newcastle head into Wednesday night’s match sitting seventh in the Champions League league phase table, level on points and goal difference with PSG but the French side sit sixth due to their superior goals scored.
It means only a win for Newcastle can take them above the holders and ensure a top eight finish. Finishing in the top eight secures progress straight through to the last-16, while finishing 9th to 24th would see clubs enter a knockout round play-off tie next month.
Bruno Guimaraes injury
Speaking after Newcastle’s defeat to Aston Villa, head coach Eddie Howe admitted there was a chance Guimaraes could feature against PSG on Wednesday.
“I still don't think it's a serious injury,” Howe said. “He wasn't quite there today. I know he'll do everything he can to be fit for Wednesday. Let's wait and see.
“He's desperate to play as soon as possible, but he obviously has to be right.
“He always wants the ball. He's always demanding the ball from his teammates. They are massive qualities and his never-say-die spirit and attitude. I think you lose a lot when a player like that isn't available. But we can't rely on one player.
“We do have to find a way of winning without him. Let's hope that's not for too long.”
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Bruno Guimaraes travels with NUFC to PSG
But when providing a further update on Guimaraes’ fitness ahead of the match in Paris, Howe couldn’t guarantee the midfielder would be involved.
“[Guimaraes] is with us and we’ll know more in the next few hours,” Howe said.
The Brazilian is set to be part of Newcastle’s training group at Parc des Princes on Tuesday night, though that is no guarantee of his involvement for the match. Defender Emil Krafth travelled and trained with the squad in Marseille back in November but didn’t feature in the matchday squad and hasn’t been involved since due to a knee injury.
‘Big’ injury blow for Newcastle United ahead of PSG
Newcastle have just welcomed back Dan Burn and William Osula from extended spells out injured. But Jacob Murphy, Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles remain out.
On Sunday, Joelinton suffered a groin injury against Aston Villa that is set to sideline him for ‘a few weeks.
Speaking in France, Howe said: “Joe won’t make the [PSG] game. He’s had a scan and we don’t think it’s a bad injury, but he’ll possibly be out for a few weeks.
“He’s going to see another opinion just to make sure we’re on the right lines. So although he won’t be out for a long time, he’s missed a few games because we’ve got so many fixtures.”
The injury will rule Joelinton out of Newcastle’s upcoming matches against PSG in the Champions League, Liverpool, Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, as well as Manchester City in the Carabao Cup and Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
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