Newcastle United trio at serious risk of Champions League ban - one already ruled out v PSV
Newcastle United have three players at risk of receiving an automatic Champions League ban.
Newcastle United host PSV Eindhoven in their penultimate game of the Champions League group phase.
The Magpies have collected 10 points from their opening six matches, beating Union Saint-Gilloise, Benfica and Athletic Club and drawing in Bayer Leverkusen. Defeats have come against Barcelona and Marseille.
It leaves United 13th in the table and needing to beat both PSV and Paris Saint-Germain to give themselves a chance of finishing inside the top eight and automatically advancing into the last 16.
But at the very least, a place in the play-off round is all but guaranteed, with Eddie Howe’s side likely only needing a point to finish between ninth and 24th.
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Newcastle United trio at risk of Champions League ban
Newcastle head into the PSV match with three players at serious risk of picking up a UEFA ban.
Joelinton, Malick Thiaw and Burn have all been yellow-carded twice this campaign, and a third booking before the semi-final stage will automatically result in a one-match Champions League ban.
“As from the first match in the league phase, players and team officials are suspended for the next competition match after three cautions,” UEFA Article 63.02 states.
UEFA Article 63.04 adds: “In addition, all yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals. They are not carried forward to the semi-finals.
Joelinton and Thiaw are expected to start against the Dutch side, though Burn won’t be involved as he recovers from a rib and lung injury. It is hoped he’ll be back for the visit to Paris next Wednesday.
Newcastle United defensive injuries
United face PSV with only four senior defenders available in Kieran Trippier, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall.
Burn returned to training on Tuesday but isn’t yet available for selection. Fabian Schar is out until April after undergoing ankle surgery, while Tino Livramento could potentially be sidelined until March with a hamstring issue.
Elsewhere, there is no definitive return date for Emil Krafth or Jamaal Lascelles, both of whom haven’t been in a matchday squad since November. Krafth is recovering from a knee issue and Lascelles is working on his fitness ahead of a potential exit from the club.”
Newcastle United face difficult PSV test
PSV visit St James’ Park with an incredible record of not losing an away game since March last year. Peter Bozs’ side already have an English scalp to their name after beating Premier League champions Liverpool 4-1 at Anfield in November.
On PSV, Howe said: “Yes, very good, very good coach, really good team to watch, I think. I've enjoyed planning the game. They're expansive, like to build from the back. They've got some ideas that are slightly different, which I always enjoy, watching something that's slightly out of the ordinary. But they impressed me.
“Watching the games against Liverpool, as you say, I thought they were very strong that night, and then Atletico Madrid, I thought they were outstanding and really unlucky not to win. So I think that's the level of team we're playing against.
“Always a strong team in Europe anyway, historically, so we'll be ready for a good game.”