Newcastle United's English head coach Eddie Howe attends a press conference at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku on February 17, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off first leg football match between Qarabag and Newcastle. (Photo by Giorgi ARJEVANIDZE / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Newcastle United's English head coach Eddie Howe attends a press conference at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku on February 17, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off first leg football match between Qarabag and Newcastle. (Photo by Giorgi ARJEVANIDZE / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle United season-ending injury blow confirmed ahead of Champions League clash v Qarabag.
Newcastle take on the Azerbaijan champions in a two-legged play-off with the winner advancing into the last 16 of the competition.
The Magpies play the first leg in Baku tomorrow night before the second leg takes place at St James’ Park next Tuesday.
Newcastle United welcome back Joelinton v Qarabag
And Eddie Howe will be boosted by the return of Brazilian midfielder Joelinton after travelling with the squad to Azerbaijan. The 29-year-old had missed the last nine games due to a groin injury.
Howe confirmed: “Yeah, Joelinton's back in the squad, so that's a great boost for us. Such an important player, such a big presence within our squad. Joe's such a real leader.
“He trained yesterday, he trained well and felt really good, so delighted with his return.
“No-one else from the missing list, I think, has travelled from the last game, so we're missing quite a few players, and quite a few real quality players as well.
“They're big misses for us, but we're coming here in good spirits from our last two games.
Bruno Guimaraes & Lewis Miley latest
Bruno Guimaraes is currently in Brazil as he begins his recovery from a hamstring tear, but hopes to be back in April.
Howe explained: “I think we spoke with our medical team, and we've been in consultation with the Brazilian national team, so he's going to do his first part of his rehab with the Brazilian national team. And then he'll come back to us for the last four weeks.
“I think it's a good mix for Bruno, because in the initial stages he won't get to do too much.He gets a sort of mental refresh, but he'll do some good work, and then comes back to finish up his final part of his rehab.
Meanwhile, Lewis Miley remains absence but is making “good progress”
Howe said: “Yeah, Lewis is doing all right. He's made good progress in the last few days. We're quite happy with his progress.
“He's had a number of scans on his... It came from a knock, which seems quite strange, but just a really bad dead leg, gave some muscle disruption. So as soon as that muscle is healed, which we think it is now, we'll push him on.”
Newcastle United confirm season-ending injury blow
Howe has confirmed Emil Krafth is set to miss the remainder of the campaign with a knee injury after the Swede was replaced in the club’s Champions League squad by 39-year-old goalkeeper John Ruddy.
“Emil's had an operation on his knee,” Howe said. “So, yeah, I think in all likelihood it looks like the season is over, which is a real blow for us.
“He first suffered the problem on international duty. We hoped that he could come back and be OK, but it was clear in training recently that he wasn't going to get to the level needed and that he didn't need a surgical intervention.”
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