Emil Krafth axed from Newcastle United's Champions League squad - replaced with 39-year-old
Newcastle United have made a change to their Champions League squad ahead of their play-off first-leg tie against Qarabag in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Clubs are allowed to make up to three changes to their squad mid-competition, and the Magpies have exercised that option ahead of their 5000-mile round trip this week.
Sweden international full-back Emil Krafth, who is still sidelined with an injury, has been removed from the squad and has been replaced by 39-year-old John Ruddy.
It suggests that there's little chance of Emil Krafth making a recovery in the near future, at least not enough of one to have an impact on the Champions League competition.
John Ruddy is essentially replacing young Max Thompson
Eddie Howe had called upon young goalkeeper Max Thompson to sit on the bench in many of the Champions League games earlier in the season, but the 21-year-old moved to Ayr United on loan in January.
Newcastle's Champions League squad is already limited due to a lack of club-grown players on the books, so the only way to get another goalkeeper back in the squad was to drop someone from the named list.
It's a move that will have little effect for the Magpies as Emil Krafth hasn't been fit to be involved anyway, and the chances of having to rely on John Ruddy are, hopefully, very slim.
Newcastle are due to arrive in Baku today
Newcastle are expected to arrive in Baku today, where Eddie Howe and a player of his choosing will face the media ahead of tomorrow's game, which kicks off at 5:30pm.
TNT Sports will show the game live as Newcastle look to make it three away wins in a row. Who'd have thought, eh?
Qarabag have sprung a few surprises in the competition this season, so we have to keep our guard up, although we'd be expected to win. If not, we'll blame the travel.
