Newcastle United will face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday night (7 November) at Signal Iduna Park, and Eddie Howe is missing a host of key players.
Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie wrote on Twitter that the Magpies squad has been down to “bare bones”, with as many as seven players injured.
Three senior players have not been registered for Champions League games, which means Howe will have to rely on youngsters.
The Magpies have 16 senior players with them for the trip to Dortmund of which three of them are goalkeepers.
“Newcastle have 16 senior players with them for match here in Dortmund tomorrow night, of which 3 are goalkeepers,” wrote Downie on Twitter.
“Going to be some youngsters on the bench as Eddie Howe is down to the bare bones. I make that seven players injured, one suspended and three not registered.”
Newcastle have 16 senior players with them for match here in Dortmund tomorrow night, of which 3 are goalkeepers.
Going to be some youngsters on the bench as Eddie Howe is down to the bare bones.
I make that seven players injured, one suspended and three not registered #NUFC— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) November 6, 2023
Bare bones
The Magpies lost their previous Champions League game against Dortmund 1-0 at St James’ Park and they should be aiming to avoid another defeat.
They have made a strong recovery after that defeat, winning two of their next three games, and drawing the other one.
Newcastle are heading into this game on the back of a 1-0 win against Arsenal in the Premier League, and the squad will be in full confidence.
Sandro Tonali is suspended for the rest of the season. But Howe should be really concerned with the injuries to a host of key players including Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, Elliot Anderson, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak, Mat Targett, and Javier Manquillo. Harvey Barnes is a long-term absentee.
