Positive injury news for Newcastle United ahead of Manchester City FA Cup clash

Manchester City are set to be without first-choice goalkeeper Ederson when they take on Newcastle United this weekend.

Eddie Howe’s men make the daunting trip to the Etihad aiming to keep their hopes of ending a 69-year wait for a trophy alive. The Magpies have already dumped City out of one competition when the two sides faced off in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.

However, a trip to the champions poses a more unnerving challenge - with Newcastle’s record abysmal at Eastlands. Just one win at the Etihad - a league Cup triumph nine years ago - since City moved there in 2003 highlights how disastrous the Magpies have been.

The odds are stacked against Newcastle as Pep Guardiola’s side eye another historic treble. Becoming the first team in football history to complete back-to-back trebles is the aim for Man City as their focus switches from an epic title race.

While the Magpies lost to Chelsea, City prepared for the cup with a draw against rivals Liverpool. The game had little relevance to Newcastle as far as their league campaign is concerned but Ederson’s injury handed them a boost for this weekend’s clash.

The Brazilian brought down Darwin Nunez inside the box, with Michael Oliver pointing to the spot and the Reds scoring from the resulting spot-kick. But Ederson suffered a muscle strain during the challenge and will miss up to four weeks.

That means City must rely upon backup goalkeeper Stefan Ortega against Newcastle on Saturday. Ironically, the German played most of their 3-2 win at St James’ Park in January after Ederson picked up another knock.

Newcastle will welcome an injury blow for the opposition as their crisis worsened following the Chelsea defeat. Harvey Barnes was omitted from the matchday squad while Anthony Gordon and Dan Burn were forced off.