The nine players missing from Newcastle United’s trip to Dubai - including midfield duo
Following Friday night’s dramatic 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United wasted no time in jetting off to Dubai for their mid-season break.
Alexander Isak’s 93rd-minute winner from the penalty spot ensured the Magpies go into the two-week international break on the back of a win, which has put them two points behind fourth place Tottenham Hotspur with two games in-hand.
There are 17 days between Forest and United’s next match against Manchester United at St James’ Park on Sunday April 2, and Howe has decided to fill some of that time by taking his squad to the United Arab Emirates.
“Immediately it’ll be a little bit of rest after an intense period of game, then we’ll get back to training and preparation for Manchester United,” said Howe. He then told BBC Newcastle: “I think we’re away for about five or six days. We’ll be training and making sure we’re fit and focused for the last part of the season.”
However, as highlighted by NewcastleWorld earlier today, not all of Howe’s squad are currently in Dubai. Here’s a list of the players we know aren’t there, at the time of writing:
1. Newcastle United’s Swedish striker Alexander Isak (L) celebrates with Newcastle United’s Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes (R) after scoring their second goal from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on March 17, 2023. - Newcastle won the game 2-1. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
2. Martin Dubravka - international duty
Dubravka has been called up by Slovakia for their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Luxembourg & Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photo: Stu Forster
3. Sven Botman - international duty
Botman is with the Netherlands squad after being handed his first-ever senior call up by Ronaldo Koeman. They play France and Gibraltar.
4. Jamal Lewis - international duty
Despite making just three appearances for Newcastle in 2022/23, the left-back has been called up to Northern Ireland squad.