Barcelona have been handed a major blow ahead of Friday’s Champions League last-16 draw - where they could face Newcastle United.
Newcastle United will face either Barcelona or Chelsea in the last-16 of the Champions League next month.
The draw for the knockout stage of the competition takes place at UEFA Headquarters in Switzerland on Friday.
The Magpies hosted Barcelona in the opening round of fixtures in the Champions League back in September and could face them once again at St James’ Park next month, with the first leg set to take place on March 10/11. The second leg will take place on March 17/18.
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Newcastle United v Chelsea or Barcelona
Alternatively, Newcastle could be set for a unique run of fixtures should they be drawn against Chelsea in the last-16. The Magpies would host Chelsea at St James’ Park for the first leg before heading to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League the following weekend before returning to Chelsea’s home ground just days later for the second leg.
It will see the sides face each other three times in the space of a week.
Either way, Newcastle will be facing familiar opponents as they have played Barcelona five times previously in the Champions League - winning the first meeting between the sides 3-2 back in 1997 but losing the four games that have followed.
Back in September, Marcus Rashford scored twice before Anthony Gordon pulled back a late goal as the match ended 2-1.
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong helped Barcelona control the game in midfield at St James’ Park that night. But he won’t return again this season, even if Newcastle are drawn against Barca in the last-16.
Barcelona confirm key man out for ‘five to six weeks’
Barcelona confirmed that the Dutch midfielder has suffered a hamstring injury and would be ruled out for ‘five to six weeks’. As a result, he will miss both legs of Barca’s Champions League last-16 tie against either Newcastle or Paris Saint-Germain.
A statement released by the La Liga club read: “First team player Frenkie de Jong injured his outer lower right hamstring this morning in training.
“Tests confirm he is expected to take five to six weeks to recover.
“This means Hansi Flick has lost one of his key players in midfield for the weeks ahead. The Dutchman has played 31 games this season and had just scored his first goal of the season in the recent match against Levante.
“The Barça number 21 has made 290 appearances in the blaugrana jersey and is just two shy of equalling the record held by Phillip Cocu (292) as the Dutchman with most all-time appearances for Barça.”
Newcastle have also been dealt a similar injury blow in midfield with captain Bruno Guimaraes set to miss both Champions League last-16 fixtures with a hamstring injury.
Fabian Schar has also been ruled out of the matches while it is hoped Tino Livramento will have recovered from his hamstring issue in time to feature. Lewis Miley is also expected to be back involved by then after a month out with a leg injury.
Frenkie de Jong loves St James’ Park
Following his previous match at St James’ Park, De Jong praised the ‘truly wonderful’ atmosphere.
“I heard a lot from the players in the Dutch team who play in the English Premier League about the atmosphere in this stadium,” he said. “It was fantastic when we entered the pitch, truly wonderful.
“They are real football fans, engaging with the moments of the game.
“We knew in advance that it would be a beautiful match, because [Newcastle] love high pressing And we, of course, always want to play and attack, and they don't bunch up either.”
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