Magpies Boosted by Potential Returns Ahead of Qarabag Showdown
Newcastle United’s squad is showing promising signs of strengthening ahead of their crucial Champions League play-off second leg against Qarabag. Manager Eddie Howe has expressed optimism that both defender Sven Botman and striker Yoane Wissa could be available for selection for the Tuesday night fixture.
Botman has been sidelined for the last three matches due to a persistent back issue, while summer signing Wissa, whose debut season has been hampered by injuries, has missed the past four games with a dead leg. Both players participated in a reduced training session with the main squad at the club’s Benton base on Monday morning. This session was held in preparation for the return leg against the Azerbaijani champions, a tie Newcastle has firmly in hand after their dominant 6-1 victory in Baku.
When questioned about the potential involvement of Botman and Wissa, Howe stated, “We hope they’ll be involved. We’ll see how they are when they wake up tomorrow but fingers crossed they will be.”
Eddie Howe
However, the training session also raised some concerns. Integral midfielder Sandro Tonali and in-form forward Anthony Gordon were notably absent from the group undergoing drills led by Howe. Gordon, in particular, had a stellar performance in the first leg, scoring four goals before halftime against Qarabag.
Addressing Player Absences and Squad Rotation
Speculation had begun to swirl regarding the absence of Tonali and Gordon, with many attributing it to the team’s demanding schedule. Newcastle has navigated a gruelling fixture list recently, playing 10 games across four different competitions in the space of a single month, which included a lengthy 5,000-mile round trip to Azerbaijan.
Eddie Howe was quick to allay any fears of further injuries, clarifying that both players were not injured but were instead undertaking their training indoors. He elaborated, “There were a few players that we just kept inside today, no real issue, four or five players I think we just wanted to look after.” This strategic approach suggests a focus on player welfare amidst the packed schedule.
Maintaining Momentum and Confidence
Last Wednesday’s resounding victory in Baku has placed Newcastle United in a commanding position, with one foot firmly planted in the last 16 of the Champions League. This significant advantage offers Howe the flexibility to consider resting some of his fatigued players. The manager can take comfort in the knowledge that it would require an extraordinary turn of events to jeopardise their progression to a knockout stage tie against either Barcelona or Chelsea.
Despite the seemingly comfortable lead, the Magpies manager stressed the importance of a cautious approach to team selection. Howe emphasised that the primary objective remains to secure a victory in the upcoming match, aiming to prevent any potential dip in the team’s confidence.
“We’ll look at the squad and try to pick a strong team,” he stated. “We want to win the game, that’s the first target.”
Howe also highlighted the delicate balancing act required in managing the squad. He explained, “In some senses we want to keep a good rhythm with the players. It’s a delicate balance between rotating the squad and making sure everyone’s fresh and also making sure players don’t lose rhythm and we don’t lose the good feeling we’ve had.” This indicates a strategic consideration for maintaining both individual player form and the team’s collective momentum.
