The Magpies have taken advantage of UEFA loophole to make a squad change
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe speaks in a team huddle during the open training session in the lead up to the UEFA Champions League Match at Newcastle United Training Centre on January 20, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Newcastle United have made a major alteration to their Champions League squad ahead of their play-off clash against Qarabag.
The Magpies will jet into Baku this afternoon here in Azerbaijan with Eddie Howe facing the Press at 4.30pm UK time at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium. UEFA have revealed that Newcastle have opted to swap around a couple of senior players as part of their three permitted changes as per the competition rules.
Sweden international Emil Krafth has been removed from the squad and replaced by 39-year-old John Ruddy. The move suggests that Krafth's chances of seeing springtime action are limited.
Krafth suffered a knee injury in a World Cup qualifier for Sweden against Slovenia in November when he came off in the 65th minute in a 1-1 draw. His withdrawal from the Toon's Euro squad indicates he will be missing for Sweden's World Cup play-off against Ukraine.
With Ruddy now named on List A of UEFA's squad takes the squad's quota of senior goalkeepers up to three with Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope already registered. It was a much-needed move for Newcastle in terms of keeper cover with Max Thompson - who had been on the bench for every group game - loaned out to Ayr United in January.
The likes of Lewis Hall and Lewis Miley are still young enough to be considered youth players according to UEFA's rules. And they join Alex Murphy, Sean Neave, Leo Shahar and Sam Alabi on List B.
Krafth won't now play again for Newcastle in the Champions League with the squad now locked in for the rest of the knockout phase, and there remains a doubt if he will appear in a black and white strip again. When asked about Krafth, Howe said last week: "Emil, at the moment, is not close."
The Swedish defender is out of contract at the end of the season. He was linked before Christmas with a move to Danish outfit FC Copenhagen.
Krafth's ongoing absence means Newcastle remain light on defenders, with Tino Livramento and Fabian Schar still injured. Shahar is the next cab off the rank but Howe made it clear that he was not ready to play the youngster just yet.
He said: "Leo is developing well. I think I've got to be really careful. It's very easy for people to sort of see the name and think he's a full-back and to put him in, but I also have to be mindful of when players are ready to play and all Leo can do is keep developing his game, train really well and I'll have to make that decision when I feel he's ready to play at the level that we're playing at."
Newcastle United's List A
Goalkeepers: Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale, John Ruddy.
Defenders: Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn, Malick Thiaw, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman
Midfielders: Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Jacob Ramsey, Joe Willock.
Forwards: Yoane Wissa, Nick Woltemade, William Osula, Jacob Murphy, Anthony Elanga, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon.
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