Newcastle United will travel to France with a thinner squad than Eddie Howe would wish for, as several important players remain unavailable and one senior defender is blocked from being selected because of UEFA rules.
Their Champions League meeting with Marseille comes at a time when momentum is finally returning to the team after a brilliant 2-1 victory over Manchester City, yet the trip also highlights the reality of how stretched the squad still is.
The win over City lifted the mood and restored confidence throughout the camp. It was a performance built on hard running, bravery on the ball and a welcome return of two players who have been sorely missed.
Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall started for the first time since September, and their presence immediately gave Newcastle balance, pace and composure on both sides of the pitch. Their contributions made it feel as though the team had found its identity again, especially against such a strong opponent.
Nick Pope and Joelinton were also declared fit enough to start after concerns from the Brentford defeat, where both players were forced off. Having them available was a huge boost, particularly Pope, whose leadership and shot-stopping always bring calm to the defence.
But even with these positives, Newcastle still travelled to the Marseille match with several question marks hanging over key players.
Five senior players remained unavailable at the weekend, and the situation has not improved as the European game approaches. Anthony Gordon has been dealing with a hip problem that forced him to miss the Brentford game and withdraw from England duty.
Before the Manchester City match, Howe described his chances as “touch and go,” and although Gordon is said to be very close to returning, there is no guarantee he can be risked in such a physically demanding fixture.
Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth are also uncertain. Both were named in the Brentford squad but were unable to feature against Manchester City, and Howe admitted he is unsure about Trippier’s readiness.
With Krafth, the situation is even less clear as no update was provided, leaving fans guessing about his condition. These are experienced defenders Newcastle could really use in Europe, but their involvement is doubtful.
Yoane Wissa and Will Osula also remain sidelined, and Howe offered a cautious update on both. He explained that Wissa is progressing well but has not yet returned to full training.
He is working with the sports science team, going through an intense programme that resembles a mini pre-season. The manager said he looks stronger with each session, but until he rejoins the main group, giving an exact date for his return is impossible.
Osula’s situation is slightly more complicated. He has experienced days where the injury feels significantly better and others where discomfort returns.
That inconsistency means he is now set to see a specialist, not because the injury is necessarily getting worse but to ensure the club receives full clarity on his recovery pathway.
Howe made it clear that Osula will not be available for the next couple of games, meaning his return remains some way off.
On top of these injury concerns, Newcastle must also deal with a separate issue that affects their squad selection for the Marseille match. Jamaal Lascelles, the club’s long-serving central defender, is not eligible to play because he was not included on Newcastle’s 21-man UEFA List A squad submitted before the competition began.
This is not a reflection of his importance or form but instead the result of strict UEFA regulations.
Clubs are allowed to register 25 players on List A only if they include four club-trained players. These are players who spent at least three full seasons with the club between the ages of 15 and 21, regardless of nationality.
Newcastle did not have enough players who qualify under that category, which forced them to reduce their List A submission to 21. Unfortunately for Lascelles, that meant he was left out of the eligible group, and he cannot be added mid-season.
Harrison Ashby, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie were also omitted, though none of them have featured for Newcastle this campaign. Lascelles is the only one whose absence affects the matchday squad in a meaningful way, as he remains an experienced and trusted defender who has stepped up when needed domestically.
As Newcastle approach their match in Marseille, the squad situation is a reminder of how fine the margins are in top-level European football. Howe’s team showed against Manchester City that they still have the quality and the courage to compete with elite sides, but the lack of depth continues to challenge them.
With several key players racing against time and one senior defender unavailable due to registration rules, Newcastle must once again rely on resilience, versatility and the spirit that carried them through the weekend.
Even with these setbacks, belief around the club remains strong. The team is fighting, performances are improving, and the return of important players is slowly gathering pace. The trip to Marseille will be another test of character, but Newcastle travel with confidence even if the squad list is shorter than Eddie Howe would prefer.
