Hansi Flick's side are heading to Tyneside for the first leg of the Champions League last-16 match
Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona and Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United challenge
Barceona's Frenkie de Jong challenges Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United(Image: 2025 Allstar)
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Barcelona head to Tyneside this week without five first-team players as head coach Hansi Flick looks to negotiate a difficult run of fixtures.
Like Newcastle United, the Catalan giants have had to balance Champions League demands with the rigours of the domestic calendar, and Flick's side has been stretched in recent weeks.
They exited the Copa Del Rey last week after losing to Athletico Madrid over two legs, following a damaging 4-0 first-leg defeat, but sit four points clear at the top of La Liga after a 1-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday night.
Flick rested several first-team players for that game, although the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Pedri were all introduced in the second half to help break down stubborn resistance.
While Newcastle have plenty of injury concerns, Barca will fly into the North East of England without five players, including influencial playmaker Frenkie De Jong.
The Dutchman impressed in their 2-1 win at St James' in the group stage of the competition, but has missed the last eight games with a hamstring injury and is not expected to return until early April.
Fellow midfielder Gavi has been a long-term absentee after tearing the medial meniscus in his right knee at the start of the season. He is closing in on a return, but it won't come until after the international break.
Former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen has been out since just before Christmas with a ligament tear but could be back for the final weeks of the season, while Barca were dealt a double blow last week.
Full-backs Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde both picked up muscle strains against Atleti, with the pair now ruled out until April.
Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring against Athletic Bilbao with teammate Raphinha
Lamine Yamal of Barcelona celebrates scoring against Athletic Bilbao with teammate Raphinha (Image: Getty Images)
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It has left Flick's squad with some issues to address, but Brazilian winger Raphinha has offered a boost by insisting he is now fully rested and recovered from a recent hamstring problem.
"I'm not as tired as some players,” he said following the win in Bilbao.
"After all, I'm recovering from a minor injury, so I've had time to rest. I feel good. It's true that I'm tired from the last match because it was a very tough game, and that's normal. The most important thing is that we got three points."
Newcastle could have Tino Livramento available to start for the first time since January after he made a second-half appearance in the 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City.
Bruno Guimaraes, Fabian Schar and Lewis Miley remain sidelined, while Emil Krafth won't play again this season with a knee injury.
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