Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes & Lewis Miley: Newcastle United expected return dates

Newcastle United are assessing the fitness of three players ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg tie against Barcelona.

The tie is all square heading into the Camp Nou following last week’s 1-1 draw at St James’ Park. The Magpies looked to have won it when Harvey Barnes scored in the 86th minute but Barca levelled via the last kick of the game as Lamine Yamal converted his penalty.

Eddie Howe’s side then travelled to Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday and came away with their first win at Stamford Bridge since 2012 after Anthony Gordon’s first-half goal was enough for three points.

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That was despite being without Sandro Tonali through illness, while Joe Willock was forced off during the latter stages of the match. As it stands, Jacob Ramsey and Joelinton are the only midfielders definitely available with Lewis Miley and Bruno Guimaraes still sidelined.

Here’s Newcastle United’s injury list in full and expected return dates:

Sandro Tonali

Tonali missed the 1-0 Premier League win away to Chelsea on Saturday evening through illness.

What’s Eddie Howe said?

Speaking after the Chelsea win, Howe said: “It quickly became apparent that he wouldn't be able to travel. So, fingers crossed it follows a similar pattern with the other illnesses we've had [and] it's quite a quick recovery.

“There's been something going around now for two to three weeks in the squad. Fingers crossed, it's the same.”

Expected return date

Barcelona (A), 18/03.

Bruno Guimaraes

It’s been five weeks since Guimaraes last featured for Newcastle after sustaining a hamstring injury in the 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur.

What’s Eddie Howe said?

Speaking on Friday, Howe confirmed the Brazilian will be cheering his teammates on in Barcelona, but won’t be back playing until after the upcoming international break.

Howe said: “He's back on Monday. I think his plan, typical Bruno, he wants to come to Barcelona and support the team. We hope that he won't be too far away once he's back with us. We'll obviously have to assess him.

“I know he's been working incredibly hard on his rehab with the Brazilian national team physios and doctors, so I think he'll be in a good place.

“He's such a big player. So I'd love to think by the time the international break has ended he'll be back, fit and available.”

Expected return date

Crystal Palace (A) 11/04.

Joe Willock

Willock withdrew in the latter stages of the win at Chelsea after going down twice holding his thigh.

What’s Eddie Howe said?

Speaking after the win at Chelsea, Howe said: “I don't know 100 per cent how he is. I've not had time to sit with him and discuss it.

“I thought he was immense today, Joe. Highlighted by the goal, really, that's Joe at his very best. Athleticism, speed and then a really good decision to square it to Anthony [Gordon]. Very unselfish.”

Expected return date

Barcelona (A) 18/03.

Lewis Miley

Miley hasn’t played since the 1-1 draw away to Paris Saint-Germain on January 28. Initially, the midfielder was thought to have suffered a dead leg but further assessment revealed muscle damage.

What’s Eddie Howe said?

Speaking on Friday, Howe said: “Yeah, we were hoping that he'd be fit for that [Barcelona] game and I don't actually know if that's deviated at all. I mean, he's not training with the group currently.

“He's on the grass now running again and working incredibly hard but all the feedback I've had from the medical team is that we just have to be careful with this injury.

“We don't want it to turn into something a lot more serious, so, it's gone on longer than anyone had hoped but the main thing is that he comes back fit.”

Expected return dates

Crystal Palace (A) 11/04.

Fabian Schar

Schar has been sidelined since the 4-3 victory over Leeds United on January 7 after being forced to undergo ankle surgery.

What’s Eddie Howe said?

Howe said: “He had a successful surgery yesterday, which is great news. Everything went according to plan. I think, difficult to give a definitive [date] but roughly around three months, I think, will be the diagnosis that we'll work towards if it's any quicker than great.

“But I think we need to give Fabian now the time to recover, it's quite a serious injury.”

Expected return dates

Crystal Palace (A) 11/04.

Emil Krafth

Krafth picked up a knee injury on international duty with Sweden in November and after months of struggling to recover, he has recently undergone knee surgery.

What’s Eddie Howe said?

Howe said: “Emil's had an operation on his knee so I think in all likelihood it looks like the season is over, which is a real blow for us.

“He first suffered the problem on international duty. We hoped that he could come back and be OK, but it was clear in training recently that he wasn't going to get to the level needed and that he needed a surgical intervention.”

Expected return date

2026-27.