Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes, John Ruddy, Jacob Murphy and Sven Botman
Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes, John Ruddy, Jacob Murphy and Sven Botman
Newcastle United have been handed a major injury boost ahead of their Champions League second leg tie against Qarabag.
The Magpies go into Tuesday night's clash at St James' Park with a healthy 6-1 advantage from the first game in Azerbaijan last week. Anthony Gordon scored four times in Baku, along with Malick Thiaw and Jacob Murphy to all but seal United's passage into the last 16.
It means with Newcastle in the middle of a hectic fixture schedule. However, he has limited options due to a lengthy injury list which sees Lewis Miley, Tino Livramento, Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar among the casualties.
The Newcastle boss has been boosted, however, by the return of Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa to training today. The duo have sat out the last three games.
Botman has had a back injury and was close to making the squad against Manchester City at the weekend, but United with fellow centre-half Malick Thiaw suspended for the Qarabag tie. Botman could start alongside Dan Burn in the heart of the defence on Tuesday night.
Wissa picked up a knock in training but was all smiles as he took to the training pitch. He could be handed a role leading the line at St James' Park tomorrow night.
Howe must also decide whether to play any of the youngsters from the start. as a late substitute against Qarabag and was pictured in training today along with Leo Shahar, Alex Murphy and Park Seung-soo.
Joelinton of Newcastle United
Joelinton of Newcastle United (Image: Getty Images) 1 of 14
Lewis Hall (l) and Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United
Lewis Hall (l) and Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United
William Osula of Newcastle United
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