Newcastle United trio 'missing' from training ahead of AC Milan clash as footage emerges

Newcastle United are preparing for tomorrow night's Champions League Group F decider against AC Milan at St James' Park (kick-off 8pm).

The Magpies must beat Milan and hope Paris Saint-Germain drop points away to Borussia Dortmund in order to qualify for the last 16 of the competition. A draw for Eddie Howe's side would be enough to secure a place in the Europa League but a defeat would see them exit Europe altogether.

After losing 4-1 to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Howe's men were back at the club's Benton training centre on Tuesday morning getting ready for the Italian giants.

The TV cameras were invited to film the opening 15 minutes of training and footage from Sky Sports News showed no sign of Sean Longstaff, Anthony Gordon and Martin Dubravka.

Callum Wilson, who was among the players spotted, and Longstaff made their respective returns from injury against Spurs as 65th-minute substitutes, while Gordon and Dubravka both started the game.

Longstaff had been sidelined for a month with an ankle issue and there have been suggestions Dubravka, deputising for the injured Nick Pope, is carrying a shoulder knock.

Gordon, meanwhile, was limping after scoring the winner against Manchester United earlier this month but started both matches away to Everton and Spurs.

Players missing training ahead of matches isn't unusual, not least when Newcastle are managing an injury crisis. They were without 10 senior players for the visit to North London, none of whom were present on Tuesday.

Howe will provide a full injury update when he faces the media at 4pm this afternoon.