Newcastle United hand first Champions League call-up to 18y/o v PSV Eindhoven- seven ruled out
How Newcastle United line-up for their Champions League clash at home to PSV Eindhoven.
Newcastle United host Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven in their penultimate game of the Champions League group phase this evening.
A win will guarantee the Magpies a spot in the play-off round and keep alive their hopes of finishing in the top eight ahead of next Wednesday’s trip to current holders Paris Saint-Germain.
The Magpies sit 13th in the table and, as it stands, will compete in a two-legged play-off next month, where the winner will advance into the round of 16.
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Newcastle United starting XI v subs v PSV Eindhoven - 18y/o called up
Eddie Howe has opted to make just one change from Sunday’s goalless draw at bottom of the Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Yoane Wissa coming in for Nick Woltemade.
It marks Wissa’s first Champions League start since joining from Brentford for £55million in the summer.
On the bench, 18-year-old Leo Shahar features in a Champions League match squad for the first time.
Newcastle United XI: Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Lewis Hall, Sven Botman, Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Malick Thiaw, Yoane Wissa, Bruno Guimaraes (c)
Substitutes: Max Thompson, Aaron Ramsdale, Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, Joe Willock, Alex Murphy, Jacob Ramsey, Leo Shahar, Sean Neave, Lewis Miley
Newcastle United duo ruled out despite returning to training
The Magpies head into tonight’s game without seven senior players, five of whom are defenders.
Dan Burn and Will Osula returned to first-team training on Tuesday but aren’t yet being considered for selection.
Burn has missed the last five weeks after sustaining a rib and lung injury during the Tyne-Wear derby defeat away to Sunderland on December 14.
Osula, meanwhile, has spent 11 weeks out with an ankle issue, something he initially played on with before being forced to withdraw from the matchday squad for the 2-0 win over Athletic Club on November 5.
“Making really good progress, Dan,” Howe said at his pre-match press conference. “We anticipated the journey back that he's had, he's pretty much stuck to the timelines we expected. He won't make it tomorrow, it's too early.
“Same with Will Osula, today was their first day with the team, or first day with the team, should I say, but hopefully not too far away.”
Seven Newcastle United players ruled out in total
Fabian Schar is ruled out until April after undergoing ankle surgery last Thursday, while Tino Livramento could be missing until March with a hamstring issue.
There is no definitive return date for Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles. Krafth is recovering from a knee issue and Lascelles is building up his fitness ahead of potentially leaving the club this month.
Meanwhile, Jacob Murphy is having a period of rest as he looks to overcome an ongoing hamstring issue.