Newcastle United return to the Champions League this week as they welcome Barcelona to St James’ Park on Thursday night.
Eddie Howe‘s side have had a solid-at-best start to the new season, with one win, two draws and a defeat. Their most recent game was a 1-0 win against Wolves, which saw new striker signing Nick Woltemade score his first goal in black and white.
Now they face a tougher test in the form of Barcelona, who, after four games, are second in La Liga after winning three and drawing one. The Magpies are no strangers to a scalp in the Champions League, as they were able to beat 2025 champions PSG the last time they competed.
But what about squad fitness for both sides? There are six players set to be unavailable on Thursday night…
Barcelona injury news
Barcelona will be without four players for the game at St James’ on Thursday night, one of which is a huge boost to Howe’s Newcastle. Firstly, goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is set to miss the game, as he is dealing with a back injury. New signing Joan Garcia will likely start.
21-year-old midfielder Gavi is also expected to miss the game on Thursday, as he is recovering from a meniscus injury which is set to keep him out until November.
Left-back Alex Balde is also unavailable, as he is dealing with a hamstring injury, which should keep him out for around another month. That means that likely starting right-winger Anthony Elanga will come up against Gerard Martin on the left of the Barcelona defence instead.
Finally, star attacker Lamine Yamal is going to miss the game, as he is recovering from a hip injury which will see him unavailable until the start of October. This is a huge boost for the Magpies, as one of Barcelona’s biggest attacking threats won’t be on the pitch.
Barcelona players ruled out: Yamal, Balde, Gavi, Ter Stegen
Newcastle United injury news
Newcastle will be without just two players on Thursday night against Barcelona as Eddie Howe has a fairly healthy squad. Firstly, is midfielder Jacob Ramsey, who joined from Aston Villa in the summer. He had to leave the game against Leeds before the international break with an ankle injury. Howe said that he will be out until the next international break in October.
New signing Yoane Wissa also won’t be available on Thursday. Howe confirmed that he suffered a knee injury whilst on international duty with DR Congo earlier in the month.
The Newcastle boss said: “So, I saw him for the first time yesterday, and he is feeling the effects of the injury he sustained just before he came off [for Congo DR]. So, we’re going to have to see how he is.”
Newcastle United players ruled out: Ramsey, Wissa
Click here to see Newcastle’s full first team squad ahead of their clash with Barcelona on Thursday.