Newcastle United v Barcelona team news: Eddie Howe has made several changes to his side for tonight’s Champions League clash.
The sides met back in September with Barcelona securing a 2-1 league phase victory. Since then, both sides have welcomed back some key players while also losing others to injury.
The Magpies are without captain Bruno Guimaraes but are boosted by the return of Jacob Ramsey from suspension. Lewis Hall is also involved having been an unused substitute in the previous match against Barcelona.
He is set to be up against Lamine Yamal, who also sat out September’s match at St James’ Park.
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Barcelona dealt injury blow ahead of kick-off
News of an injury concern in Barcelona’s camp leaked ahead of kick-off with defender Eric Garcia dropping out of the starting line-up due to ‘discomfort’.
It’s a pre-match blow for Barcelona, who are short of options at right-back with Jules Kounde also unavailable due to injury.
Midfielder Gavi has travelled to Newcastle but has not been included in the matchday squad. Frenkie de Jong, who impressed for Barcelona in the 2-1 win over Newcastle earlier in the season, is unavailable due to injury.
Newcastle United 21-man matchday squad to face Barcelona
Ahead of the match, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe confirmed to The Gazette that there were no fresh concerns for the match despite illness running through the camp.
And that proved to be the case when the players arrived at St James’ Park, with the matchday squad as follows...
Goalkeepers: Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale, John Ruddy
Defenders: Kieran Trippier, Lewis Hall, Sven Botman, Malick Thiaw, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn, Alex Murphy
Midfielders: Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock, Jacob Ramsey
Forwards: Yoane Wissa, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, William Osula, Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade
NUFC confirmed line-up
Newcastle United line-up v Barcelona: Ramsdale; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Ramsey, Joelinton; Elanga, Barnes, Osula
Subs: Pope, Ruddy, Harris, Botman, Wissa, Gordon, Livramento, J.Murphy, Woltemade, Willock, A.Murphy, Neave
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