The Newcastle United squad are on their way to Brussels for the Champions League clash with Union Saint-Gilloise.
On the back of Newcastle losing to Arsenal, Eddie Howe and his players have no time to feel sorry for themselves. The games are coming thick and fast, as they prepare to take on Union Saint-Gilloise on Wednesday night.
Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey are injured and will miss the game, while Tino Livramento should be absent too after he was stretchered off during Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal.
His absence will be a major blow, but the Magpies have been handed a double fitness boost ahead of their second Champions League game of the season.
Photo by Pat Elmont – UEFA/UEFA via Getty ImagesLewis Hall and Fabian Schar return for Newcastle United
The club’s social media team have posted official photos of the Newcastle United squad boarding a plane to Belgium on Tuesday morning.
The likes of Nick Woltemade and Joelinton have been pictured at the airport, alongside two players who missed the defeat to Arsenal.
Lewis Hall and Fabian Schar are flying to Brussels for the game against Union Saint-Gilloise, which would imply that they are fit to return to the side.
Schar has been absent due to a concussion he suffered against Barcelona, while Lewis Hall missed the Arsenal defeat due to fatigue.
Their returns are welcome, as the Magpies aim to record their first away win in the Champions League since February 2003.
No Jamaal Lascelles after Newcastle United cameo vs Arsenal
Concussion resulted in Schar missing three games in a row, culminating in the 2-1 loss to Arsenal.
In his absence, Jamaal Lascelles was required to make an appearance off the bench. It is the second time this season that the centre-back has featured as a substitute, having recovered from an ACL injury.
However, the 31-year-old will not be involved against Union Saint-Gilloise. Lascelles is not in the Champions League squad, with the Magpies only able to name a group of 21 due to a lack of club-trained players.
That makes Schar’s return all the more important, and it will be interesting to see if Eddie Howe immediately restores him to the starting XI. That could be difficult, as Malick Thiaw has played very well in Schar’s absence.