Newcastle United 'leader' left out of Champions League squad v PSV amid UEFA rules

Newcastle United are unable to call Jamaal Lascelles into their Champions League squad, despite Fabian Schar’s injury.

Schar underwent ankle surgery last Thursday and is expected to be sidelined until April at the earliest.

Under new UEFA rules, the Magpies are permitted to replace a player in the squad who is deemed to be unavailable long-term with a player originally left out of the squad, with Lascelles and goalkeepers John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie waiting in the wings.

However, that is only if the changes are made before matchday six, meaning the deadline has now passed.

Newcastle United can trigger UEFA loophole after Fabian Schar injury

UEFA Article 31.14 C states: “Long-term injury or illness of an outfield player: during the league phase until matchday 6 included, the club concerned may temporarily replace a maximum of one outfield player and register a new outfield player.

“An injury or illness of an outfield player is considered long-term if it lasts at least 60 days as of the day the injury or illness occurred. If the outfield player recovers before the end of this 60-day period, the player remains nonetheless not eligible to participate in any UEFA club competition (i.e. UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League or UEFA Conference League), until the end of such period.

“The club must provide UEFA with the necessary medical evidence in one of UEFA's official languages. Before confirming the replacement, UEFA may require further medical examination of the outfield player by an expert appointed by UEFA at the club's expense.

“Once the injured or ill outfield player is fit to be fielded again, he becomes eligible and/or can resume his position in place of his substitute, who must consequently be removed from the list. The return of the original outfield player must be announced to the UEFA administration at least 24 hours before the next match in which the original outfield player is due to play.”

But Newcastle United won’t be making any changes to the squad - as it stands

As a like-for-like replacement, Lascelles would be the obvious candidate to replace Schar.

The 32-year-old trained with Howe’s squad on Tuesday as they prepared for Wednesday night’s tie at home to PSV Eindhoven, though hasn’t been involved in a matchday squad since November as he builds up his fitness ahead of potentially leaving the club before the January transfer window closes.

Speaking earlier this month, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: "He's not training with us currently. He hasn't felt well enough physically to train... good enough. I don't necessarily think that he's injured in the sense that he's got one big injury, I just think his body's not feeling great.

"So he's not training with us currently. We hope that will change in the next few weeks.

“"But yeah, there's a possibility that he could leave as well. Jamaal's been an incredible servant. He's a great leader for us behind the scenes. So, let's wait and see what happens on his future."

Newcastle United can make changes to their squad for knockout stages

It means Newcastle are unable to add anyone to their squad for their remaining two league phase matches against PSV and Paris Saint-Germain.

But should United progress into the knockout rounds as expected, their squad can be altered with the inclusion of three players maximum.

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