Eddie Howe left with squad problem for Champions League game following Tino Livramento injury
Two years ago, Newcastle United suffered an injury crisis while trying to navigate the extra fixtures brought on by competing in the Champions League.
Eddie Howe's lack of options to rotate the squad led to players picking up injuries left and right, and the Magpies' boss had to rely on the same players over and over again.
This time around, Newcastle have a stronger squad to cope with the increased fixture load, but in the Champions League, the squad has been limited due to a lack of 'club-grown' players.
Instead of selecting a squad of 25 players, Howe has been restricted to just 21, although youth players can be drafted in to fill the gaps.
Tino Livramento's injury presents an issue for Eddie Howe
On Sunday, during the game against Arsenal, Tino Livramento was stretchered off the pitch with a serious-looking knee injury, and he was replaced on the day by club captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Due to the squad restrictions in the Champions League, however, Lascelles was left out of Eddie Howe's 21-man squad and therefore can't be included in tomorrow's team.
As things stand, we don't know the extent of Livramento's injury and how long he's expected to be out, and with so little time between now and tomorrow's game, it's unlikely that Newcastle can do anything to draft Lascelles into the squad in Livramento's place.
There is a rule that would allow Jamaal Lascelles to replace Tino Livramento
UEFA rules state that if a player picks up an illness or injury which will keep them out of action for more than 60 days, a replacement may be called up, but the club must provide medical evidence and be open to the player being assessed by a UEFA-appointed doctor to confirm the extent of the injury.
Newcastle are still assessing Livramento's injury, and that process seems far too convoluted to be completed before the squad for the trip to Brussels is announced, so Howe is going to have to make a call on who to bring along to plug the gap left by Livramento's absence.
Fortunately, Fabian Schar should be out of his 12-day concussion period, and Lewis Hall was merely rested on Sunday and should be available for selection too, so things aren't as bad as they could be.
