Newcastle United's Italian midfielder #08 Sandro Tonali attends a training session 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.placeholder image
Newcastle United's Italian midfielder #08 Sandro Tonali attends a training session 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. | AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle United take on Qarabag in the play off round of the Champions League in Azerbaijan.
It’s not Eddie Howe’s style to name his Newcastle United starting XI ahead of time - he’s just not the type.
When it comes to the Magpies’ head coach, he’s a cards close to the chest kind of guy.
However, the trip to Baku is no usual trip in the Champions League, and neither was the questioning at his pre-match press conference at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium. The Azerbaijan media quizzed Howe on which players they should look out for tomorrow night - and he humoured them, by naming two key players, who are certain to start.
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Eddie Howe names two key players who will start v Qarabag in the Champions League
Howe said: “I don't like to necessarily do that, but I'll play the game and I'll try and give you a couple.
“So I think for us, on our side, without proving my starting 11, which I never like to do, Kieran Trippier I think will be an interesting player for you to see, because of his technical quality from right-back, and also he's the only right-back we have, so a very good chance for me to play.
“And Sandro Tonali, for his two goals in our last game, I think he's another player with brilliant ability, and he's in good goal-scoring form after his two long-range strikes, so hopefully that's the start of a really good run of form for him too.”
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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