UEFA Champions League rules have already banned Newcastle United star - two more at risk
Two Newcastle United players are walking a Champions League disciplinary tightrope.
Newcastle United host Barcelona at St James’ Park this evening in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.
The Magpies exited the FA Cup at the fifth round stage on Saturday night after losing 3-1 at home to Manchester City, who also knocked them out of the Carabao Cup.
Eddie Howe admits that achieving something memorable this season hinges on the Champions League, with his side currently struggling in the Premier League by sitting 12th and nine points behind the top five with nine matches left to play.
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Newcastle United team news - Anthony Gordon & Joelinton OK
To have a chance of beating Barcelona, Howe knows the importance of taking a positive result to the Camp Nou in the second-leg next Tuesday.
And for that, Howe hopes to have two of his big hitters back to full fitness after Joelinton and Anthony Gordon were pictured in first-team training on Monday afternoon.
Joelinton has only recently returned from three weeks out with a groin issue, while Gordon has been managing an ankle issue. Howe opted to “protect” the pair against Man City by limiting them to a substitute appearance.
Jacob Murphy is also in contention to feature after Howe couldn’t use him at the weekend due to a neck issue, while Jacob Ramsey is eligible after serving a one-match Premier League ban.
Bruno Guimaraes, Lewis Miley, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth remained sidelined.
Newcastle United star back from suspension - but two others at risk
Malick Thiaw has started the last three matches but missed the Champions League play-off second leg win over Qarabag last time out due to suspension, having picked up his third yellow card of the campaign in the first-leg in Baku.
And both Dan Burn and Joelinton must be careful that they don’t receive the same punishment with the pair one booking away from their third caution in this season’s competition.
As per UEFA rules, three bookings before the semi-final stage automatically results in a one-match suspension. That’s potentially four more games they need to avoid a booking, should Newcastle progress past the quarter-final stage.
Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Aaron Ramsdale, Joe Willock, Anthony Elanga and Gordon are the only other Newcastle players who have been shown a yellow card in the Champions League this season.