Sandro Tonali is a slight doubt for Newcastle United as they prepare to do battle with Barcelona for the third time in the Champions League this season.
Tonali missed the win over Chelsea on Saturday evening due to illness and there is no guarantee he will make Barcelona versus Newcastle United on Wednesday night.
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Indeed, Tonali is a doubt for Newcastle against Barca, with Eddie Howe confirming that they would need to make a late decision on him after arriving in Spain.
Here’s our predicted lineup ahead of the huge Champions League match.
Newcastle United predicted XI vs Barcelona
Though Tonali could feasibly feature, although it would perhaps be unwise to definitely suggest he should.
It certainly wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Jacob Ramsey operate in the deeper midfield role, with the former Aston Villa star having impressed there against Chelsea.
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Newcastle United predicted XI vs Barcelona: Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Ramsey, Willock, Joelinton; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
The major call comes at right-back. Kieran Trippier played well in the first leg, but Tino Livramento’s return to full fitness offers Howe a choice there.
Anthony Gordon couldn’t start the first leg due to illness but he looks almost certain to start here.
Sandro Tonali celebrates after scoring for Newcastle United against Qarabag in the Champions League.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Newcastle United confirmed team news
Naturally, Howe was never going to give too much away during his pre-match press conference.
He did, however, confirm that Lewis Miley is injured and will not return in time for Sunday’s huge game against rivals Sunderland.
The Newcastle United manager said: “Lewis isn’t with the squad, unfortunately. He’s trained at home today so we’re probably looking at the other side of the international break for him – it’s just taking a bit longer than we’d hoped.”
Joe Willock will also be assessed. The former Arsenal midfielder has grown in importance in recent weeks and played very well against Chelsea.
Newcastle United injury latest ahead of Barcelona
Aside from the slight element of doubt regarding Tonali and Willock, Bruno Guimaraes is the only big-name absence from the Newcastle United squad.
The midfielder isn’t expected to return until after the international break, and even then it might not be particularly quickly.
Fabian Schar will miss the game after undergoing ankle surgery earlier this year but may not have played ahead of Dan Burn or Malick Thiaw anyway.
Emil Krafth is injured but the Sweden international would almost certainly not have played even if he was fit.
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