Newcastle United post injury hint as £71m duo are not pictured in training ahead of Man City FA Cup clash

Newcastle United are sweating over the fitness of a number of key stars as they prepare for the unenviable task of travelling to face FA Cup holders Manchester City this weekend. The Magpies have a terrible record against the Sky Blues and have only beat them away from home on two occasions since the start of the 21st century. 

The most recent of those came nearly a decade ago when Alan Pardew’s men secured a 2-0 victory in the League Cup. Prior to that Newcastle fans have to go back to the year 2000, when Alan Shearer scored a late header in a 1-0 win for Bobby Robson’s side.

Newcastle’s head to head record with Manchester City has been dreadful throughout the last quarter of a decade, but they can take some comfort in the fact that they defeated last year’s treble winners earlier in the season during a hard-fought 1-0 League Cup win at St James’ Park.

The form book is definitely in City’s favour heading into the game as they boast a record of record in all competitions since the start of 2024. Meanwhile, a misfiring Newcastle find themselves 10th in the league and looking to bounce back from a disappointing 3-2 defeat away to Chelsea.

Confirmed absentees for Newcastle are Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Joelinton, the suspended Sandro Tonali and Callum Wilson. Summer signing Harvey Barnes was a surprise absentee for the Chelsea loss, having sustained a minor injury, in what has been an injury ravaged season for the ex-Leicester man.

He was not pictured in training ahead of Newcastle’s clash with the treble winners, and another notable concern is Anthony Gordon, who was missing from training, despite celebrating his first ever England call-up. Injuries to both would leave Newcastle without a recognised left winger for their FA Cup quarter-final tie, although both Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron would be capable of playing on the other side if needed.

The Paraguayan was also not seen in Newcastle’s training ground photos, along with summer signing Tino Livramento. Neither of the pair are believed to have sustained any injuries and it could well be a case of Eddie Howe simply managing the player’s workloads.

In more positive news for the Magpies it does appear that Manchester City will be without their first choice stopper Ederson. The Brazilian goalkeeper sustained an injury during City’s clash with Liverpool and is expected to miss at least four weeks. 31-year-old goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is likely to deputise for the Citizens in Ederson’s absence. He has made seven appearances in all competitions so far this season.