Newcastle United's English midfielder #41 Jacob Ramsey celebrates after the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off first leg football match between Qarabag and Newcastle at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku on February 18, 2026. (Photo by Giorgi ARJEVANIDZE / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Newcastle United's English midfielder #41 Jacob Ramsey celebrates after the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off first leg football match between Qarabag and Newcastle at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku on February 18, 2026. (Photo by Giorgi ARJEVANIDZE / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
The official reason reason why Jacob Ramsey is missing for Newcastle United against Qarabag in the Champions League.
Eddie Howe’s side lead 6-1 from the first-leg win in Azerbaijan following four goals from Anthony Gordon and a goal each from Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey.
With a five-goal advantage, Howe has taken the opportunity to rotate his starting line-up.
Eddie Howe makes six changes to his Newcastle United starting XI
Newcastle’s boss has named seven changes from Saturday’s narrow 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League.
Alex Murphy makes his full Newcastle debut in the Champions League as he replaces Lewis Hall at left-back.
The other changes see Aaron Ramsdale, Sven Botman, Joelinton, Harvey Barnes, Will Osula and Jacob Murphy come in for Nick Pope, Malick Thiaw, Joe Willock, Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga.
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 official reason why Jacob Ramsey is missing
Newcastle are boosted by the return of Botman and Yoane Wissa from injury but are without Ramsey, with the club confirming the midfielder is missing due to a “tight hamstring”.
The 24-year-old has been enjoying his best spell in the side recently since joining from Aston Villa for £39million in the summer.
Any sustained period without him would come as a huge blow to Howe, who is already without midfielders Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Miley.
“He's been really important,” Howe said on Ramsey last week. “Not just Jacob, but Joe Willock as well. I've seen him return to his best form in my opinion, so two huge players for us
“And, of course, with Bruno [Guimaraes]'s absence as well, it's really important that we have our midfield contributing. They've got different strengths, all of them, but they all bring something really strong to the team.”
Continue Reading