Newcastle United squad hit by two more absentees due to harsh UEFA Champions League rule

Eddie Howe has two less players on board in Paris for the final Champions League away game in Group F

Eddie Howe saw his Newcastle squad cut by a further two absentees in Paris with neither Alex Murphy and Amadou Diallo allowed to be involved due to UEFA rules.

The two youngsters can’t be part of the B squad because they have not been at Newcastle for more than two years. And so Howe was left with just 18 players for the important Group F encounter in the French capital tonight and drafted in 19-year-old James Huntley last night to bolster the squad.

Matt Ritchie, Javier Manquillo, Emil Krafth and Mark Gillespie are also ineligible as Howe finds himself down the bare bones. But Howe can pick 17-year-old star Lewis Miley with the midfielder training last night just days after his big part in the 4-1 win over Chelsea.

Howe said: “There is every chance he will be involved; I think he is ready. He has a great temperament for these occasions.

“The thing I loved about him after the game on Saturday, it was just another game for him, that is how he will need to approach this one.”

Howe’s starting XI could look similar to the team that beat Chelsea at St James’ Park, he reflected: “We are pretty much as we were at the weekend, but just with a few absentees who can’t play in this competition. Joe [Willock] is seeing a specialist tomorrow, we are still unsure on him. Sean [Longstaff] has not travelled.”