Newcastle United v Barcelona: Newcastle are back in Champions League action as they host Barcelona in the last-16 first-leg at St James’ Park on Tuesday.
Newcastle host the La Liga side at St James’ Park for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 match on Tuesday (8pm kick-off).
Following Saturday’s FA Cup last-16 exit to Manchester City, Howe said: “As much as it's easy to be very negative in this moment and I understand we've gone out of the FA Cup but we have the biggest game in the club's history coming up in no time at all.
“We've got to get the players ready for that, we've got no time to dwell on this.”
And Newcastle returned to training at Darsley Park on Monday morning in preparation for the match against Barcelona.
Anthony Gordon boost & key man spotted back in training after two months out
Anthony Gordon’s ankle issue highlighted by Howe following Saturday’s defeat to Manchester City is unlikely to keep him out of the Barcelona match as the forward was spotted in training on Monday.
Gordon has scored 10 goals in the Champions League so far this season, a record only bettered by Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe.
Tino Livramento has also been pictured back in training for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury back in January. The 23-year-old returned on the bench against Man City at the weekend and made a brief substitute appearance.
On Livramento’s return, Howe said: “He's huge, we've really missed him. His versatility, his athleticism.
“He's a massive player for us so great to have him back and some valuable minutes. He hasn't done a lot of training, so we needed to protect him [against Manchester City].”
Jacob Murphy was also in training after being an unused substitute due to a neck problem against Man City as was Jacob Ramsey, who missed the FA Cup match due to suspension but is now back available.
Lewis Miley, Bruno Guimaraes, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth remain unavailable due to injury.
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Newcastle United call-up former Liverpool youngster for Champions League training
18-year-old forward Sean Neave continued to train with the first team squad ahead of the Barcelona game. Leo Shahar was not pictured having made his debut in Newcastle’s previous Champions League match against Qarabag.
But one player who was spotted training with the first team was 16-year-old academy midfielder, Isaac Moran.
The England youth international has featured regularly for Newcastle’s Under-18s side this season and has been drafted into the first-team training group to help bolster the numbers. Newcastle Under-21s are away at Leicester City on Monday evening which has limited the young players available for Howe to call up and bolster the first-team session.
Despite training with the Newcastle first team, Moran will be ineligible to be included in the matchday squad to face Barcelona due to UEFA squad rules. The rules state that young players under the age of 21 can only be included in Champions League squads if they have been contracted to the club in question for at least two years.
As Moran joined Newcastle from Liverpool’s academy last summer, he is unable to be included.
Isaac Moran issues Liverpool farewell statement
After turning down a scholarship offer at Liverpool to join Newcastle last summer, Moran took to Instagram to post several images showing his time at the club along with the caption: “I have made the tough decision to leave Liverpool Football Club. I want it to be known that this decision was not taken lightly and I have been honoured to represent the club, but I believe it’s best for my career and future opportunities to go elsewhere.
“I would like to thank all of my teammates, coaches and staff for all their hard work over these past 10 years, in not only shaping me to be the footballer I am, but most importantly the person I am today.From the bottom of my heart. Thank you. YNWA.”
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