An official Newcastle United injury update ahead of the Barcelona match.
Eddie Howe hoping to follow up the brilliant performance at the weekend, as United won away at Chelsea.
This next one is a winner takes all after the 1-1 draw at St James’ Park.
The winner of Barcelona v Newcastle United progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Eddie Howe giving this Newcastle United injury update ahead of Wednesday.
Bruno Guimaraes is with the Newcastle United squad in Barcelona but not ready to be considered to play as yet.
Official Newcastle United injury update from Eddie Howe:
Eddie Howe on Sandro Tonali, with the midfielder having missed Chelsea due to illness:
“We’ll have a look at it today. Today’s the first day we’ve seen him. It is an opportunity for hopefully him to train, if he feels strong enough. We’ll make a decision tomorrow.”
Eddie Howe on Lewis Miley:
“Lewi’s not with the squad, unfortunately. He’s trained at home today, so we’re probably looking at the other side of the international break now for Lewi now. It’s just taking a little bit longer than we hoped.”
Eddie Howe on Joe Willock:
“Joe Willock has travelled with us. We’ll look at him in training today and fingers crossed he’ll be fine.”
Eddie Howe asked whether a win on Wednesday against Barcelona would represent the biggest victory of his managerial career?
“I know everyone likes to put a label on these things! But yeah, it probably would. It’s irrelevant, really, thinking about it, talking about it, because that’s the outcome. At the moment we’re still very much in the preparation phase. We’re trying to make sure that we get all of our gameplan, tactical delivery, individual performances to the right level. Afterwards will take care of itself. My thoughts, everyone’s thoughts, the players’ thoughts, are just (about) trying to deliver our best and time our best performances for the big moments. Of course, that’s tomorrow.”
Eddie Howe on the importance of not looking too far ahead:
“It’s all about the here and now, and the here and now is trying to prepare the game as best we can. A lot of work’s gone into these two games, as it does with every game that we have to play now. To give the players the best chance of winning the game, a lot of work goes in beforehand, so that’s what we’re focused on. I really don’t like answering hypothetical questions about what the future may hold. Win or lose, the game goes on and we’ve got a massive, massive game at the weekend, so I don’t really want to heap too much pressure on the players. I just want them to try and execute the best performance that they can.”
Eddie Howe on playing at the Camp Nou:
“We’re in a different environment, one we’ve never been to before, and we’ll enjoy the game when it comes but we’ll only truly enjoy it if we deliver what we know we need to. I think we’re in a good place to do that.”
Eddie Howe on how to beat Barcelona:
“The details of this game are going to be important. Dealing with their strengths and also trying to produce our best moments. I think when you consider the two games we’ve had against Barcelona, we’ve had some really good passages of play, some good opportunities to score, but we haven’t beaten them. That’s the challenge.”
Eddie Howe on experience:
“We’ve got an experienced group and players who have played in so many big games now. You want the size of the game to lift the players and to make us grow. Certainly we can’t shrink. From my side it’s about getting our plan right.”