Why Joelinton misses Newcastle United’s friendly at Rangers as starting XI confirmed

Newcastle United field a strong starting XI for tonight’s game against Rangers (kick-off 7:45pm) in the Allan McGregor Testimonial - with Sandro Tonali handed his non-competitive debut.

After missing Saturday’s opening pre-season friendly win against Gateshead, the likes of Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson return to the starting XI having watched on from the stands.

There are, however, two notable absences in Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton.

Saint-Maximin, as reported in the build-up to the game, hasn’t travelled to Ibrox after receiving approaches from the Saudi Pro League.

Eddie Howe’s squad are due to travel to the United States for the Premier League Summer Series and Joelinton has been left at home following a delay to obtaining a visa. He could link up with the squad separately.

Martin Dubravka has made the journey to Glasgow but wasn’t included in the squad along with Jacob Murphy and Jamaal Lascelles, who are recovering from a shoulder and muscle injury, respectively.

Newcastle United: Loris Karius, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Matt Targett, Sean Longstaff, Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Miguel Almiron, Jamal Lewis, Callum Wilson.

Subs: Karl Darlow, Mark Gillespie, Paul Dummett, Alexander Isak, Javier Manquillo, Harrison Ashby, Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes, Joe White, Jay Turner-Cooke, Alex Murphy, Luke Parkinson, Lewis Miley.