Keith Downie gives update on double injury boost for Newcastle United ahead of Champions League play-off second leg
Newcastle United will look to add to their five-goal advantage over Qarabag FK in the Champions League play-off second leg tomorrow night.
The Magpies carry a 6-1 lead into the home leg of the tie with progression all but assured. No side in Champions League history has ever overturned a five-goal deficit, and given how Qarabag played last week, particularly in the first half, we're not expecting them to be the first.
What we do expect is that Eddie Howe will field a much-changed starting XI on Tuesday night at St James' Park.
While we don't expect he'll start a bunch of kids, we do expect Howe to take the opportunity to rest a couple of players, while Malick Thiaw will miss out through suspension.
Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa have trained with the team today
Two players who are looking to be involved tomorrow after missing the last few games are Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa, who, as confirmed by Keith Downie on X today, have taken part in training today.
Botman was expected to be involved on Saturday at Manchester City, but he wasn't feeling quite right, and Eddie Howe made the decision to leave him out of the squad.
Yoane Wissa has been missing for the last three games, four if you include being an unused substitute in the win over Tottenham.
Tomorrow night could be massive for Yoane Wissa
The game against Qarabag could be ideal for Yoane Wissa to take part in if Newcastle can dominate as they did in Azerbaijan.
If Wissa can get a couple of goals, it should do his confidence the world of good as the season starts to draw to a close.
Newcastle have been lacking a goalscorer all season, having to rely on Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Bruno Guimaraes far more than their strikers. If we can get Yoane Wissa firing, it will be a huge help in our late surge for Champions League qualification.
