Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United in action during training ahead of their UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match against Qarabag FK at Newcastle United Training Centre on February 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United in action during training ahead of their UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match against Qarabag FK at Newcastle United Training Centre on February 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United starting XI for their Champions League play-off second-leg clash against Qarabag.
The Magpies lead 6-1 from the first-leg win in Azerbaijan last Wednesday following four goals from Anthony Gordon and a goal in either half for Malick Thiaw and Jacob Murphy.
No team in Champions League history has ever failed to progress with a five-goal advantage, with United on course to play either Barcelona or Chelsea in the last 16 of the competition.
Newcastle United double injury boost
Eddie Howe has made seven changes from Saturday’s narrow 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League.
21-year-old Alex Murphy makes his full Newcastle debut in the Champions League as he replaces Lewis Hall at left-back. Each of the Republic of Ireland under-21 international's six appearances so far have come from the bench - four of them coming this season.
Howe hinted at changes during his pre-match press conference. He said: “I think we'll look at the squad and try and pick a strong team. We want to win the game, so that's the first target, is to win. And in some senses, we want to keep a good rhythm with the players.
“I think it's a really delicate balance we've got between rotating the squad and making sure everyone's fresh to winning the game and also making sure players don't lose rhythm and we don't lose the good feeling that we've had.
“I'll try and pick the right team, taking all the information into consideration that we have.”
Newcastle United: Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Trippier (c), Sven Botman, Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, William Osula, Jacob Murphy, Nick Woltemade, Dan Burn, Alex Murphy
Substitutes: Nick Pope, John Ruddy, Aidan Harris, Lewis Hall, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Gordon, Anthony Elanga, Joe Willock, Leo Shahar, Sean Neave
Newcastle United double injury boost - but no Jacob Ramsey
Botman is back in the starting XI while Yoane Wissa is on the bench. Both Botman and Wissa have missed the last three games with a back issue and “nasty knock”, respectively, but resumed training on Monday.
“We'll wait and see how they both wake up tomorrow, but fingers crossed they'll both be involved,” Howe said at his pre-match press conference.”
There is, however, no Ramsey in the squad, with his absence still be explained.
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