Newcastle United return to Champions League duty on Tuesday night as they welcome Benfica to St James’ Park, looking to bounce back from their 2-1 Premier League defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Eddie Howe’s side have taken three points from their opening two group matches and will be aiming to strengthen their bid for a spot in the knockout stages when Jose Mourinho’s team visit Tyneside.
The Magpies, however, will be without several key players through injury, while three others have been ruled ineligible under UEFA registration rules. Mourinho also faces selection issues, having inherited a number of long-term absentees after replacing Bruno Lage last month.
Benfica Injury Updates
Bruma – Out
The winger remains sidelined with an Achilles injury sustained in July and has yet to feature this season.
Alexander Bah – Out
The right-back is still recovering from an ACL injury suffered in February and won’t be involved at St James’ Park.
Manu Silva – Out
Also out long-term after suffering an ACL injury in the same match against Moreirense.
Newcastle United Injury Updates
Yoane Wissa – Out
Wissa is nursing a PCL injury and will not feature. The £55m summer signing is expected back next month.
Tino Livramento – Out
The defender remains out with a knee injury picked up against Arsenal and could return towards the end of November.
Lewis Hall – Out
A hamstring issue sustained in Belgium rules him out of the Benfica match, though Eddie Howe says he could return before the next international break.
Jamaal Lascelles – Out
Not registered in Newcastle’s UEFA ‘List A’ squad and therefore unavailable.
John Ruddy – Out
Also omitted from the Champions League squad.
Mark Gillespie – Out
Likewise, left out of the UEFA squad and unable to feature.
That makes nine players confirmed unavailable across both camps heading into Tuesday’s Champions League clash at St James’ Park.
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