Newcastle United are set to host Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night in their first Champions League fixture at St James’ Park in two decades.
However, Sky Sports reports that they have been handed several injury blows ahead of the highly anticipated showdown, with three pivotal first-team players set to sit out the encounter.
Sven Botman, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali have not been pictured in today’s training session, increasing the likelihood of their absence from the PSG clash.
Botman will be a huge miss from the Newcastle defence, with the Dutchman proving an integral figure for the Magpies since joining over a year ago.
He was part of the Newcastle backline that boasted the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League last term – alongside Manchester City – conceding 33 goals.
Botman has continued his rich vein of form this season, contributing to three clean sheets across all competitions while chipping in with a goal and an assist.
His absence could facilitate the reintroduction of club captain Jamal Lascelles, who featured in the 1-0 win over Man City in the League Cup third round.
Tonali has also been pivotal to Newcastle’s style of play, forming a decent partnership with Bruno Guimaraes at the base of the midfield, and his absence will be felt.
Callum Wilson has also been nursing a hamstring problem, which ruled him out of last weekend’s victory over Burnley, where goals from Miguel Almiron and Alexander Isak handed the Magpies a 2-0 win.
The England international had previously emerged as a doubt for tomorrow’s clash against PSG.
But he took part in the morning training session, suggesting he could get minutes in the Champions League encounter.
Despite their injury setbacks, Newcastle’s recent form is enough to inspire confidence in the locker room after going five games unbeaten across all competitions, including a three-match winning streak.
The Magpies have also kept a clean sheet in their last five outings, and manager Eddie Howe will hope for more of the same when PSG visit Tyneside tomorrow.
