Newcastle United are gearing up for their Champions League clash against Qarabag in Baku
Kieran Trippier departs Newcastle International Airport for Azerbaijan in preparation for the UEFA Champions League clash against Qarabag FK,
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Newcastle United have jetted out of Tyneside and started their 2,500 mile trip to Baku for the Champions League qualifier with Qarabag.
The Magpies set off from a chilly Newcastle Airport earlier this morning. They are expected to land in a sunnier, warmer Baku around 6pm local time, before Eddie Howe meets the media at 8.30pm (4.30 GMT).
Newcastle will then train on the pitch at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium. Manager Eddie Howe will make a decision on a number of players who are carrying knocks and niggles after a gruelling run of fixtures.
Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa were ruled out of the Aston Villa clash at the weekend. Botman had a back issue but Howe was hoping he could make the trip to Azerbaijan while Wissa picked up a knock in training.
Two other players who are closing in on returns are Joelinton and Lewis Miley. The midfield duo have missed a handful of games and after Bruno Guimaraes was ruled out for around eight weeks, Howe could do with as many reinforcements in his engine room as possible.
Joelinton has been missing since the 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa after suffering a muscle problem. The Brazilian travelled to Barcelona for treatment but is eager to be back involved. Howe had said on Joelinton: "He's desperate to be back involved, as he normally is, but that's a great sign for us - that means he's feeling good about his body, and he's very positive."
Nick Pope departs Newcastle International Airport for Azerbaijan in preparation for the UEFA Champions League Knockout Play-off First Round against Qarabag FK
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Neither Joelinton or Miley, or Botman or Wissa, were among the dozen pictures released by the club of the players boarding the flight to Baku this morning as Newcastle keep their cards close to their chest. The quartet may have travelled but weren't on any of the official images sent out by Newcastle.
However, William Osula, Anthony Elanga, Harvey Barnes, Malick Thiaw, Nick Woltemade, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall, Anthony Gordon, Jacob Ramsey, Kieran Trippier, Joe Willock, Sandro Tonali and young full-backs Leo Shahar and Alex Murphy were pictured getting on the plane.
Goalkeeper duo Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale were also on the flight. The shotstoppers are likely to be joined by veteran John Ruddy after the 39-year-old was named in the new squad list submitted to UEFA for the knockout phase at the expense of Emil Krafth.
Chief executive David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson also joined the squad jetting out to Baku.
David Hopkinson departs Newcastle International Airport for Azerbaijan
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