Howe Delivers Double Newcastle Boost as Tonali and Gordon Injury Fears Allayed
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has provided a significant double boost ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League play-off second leg against Qarabag, confirming that key defenders Sven Botman and striker Yoane Wissa are nearing returns while allaying fears over midfield maestro Sandro Tonali and in-form forward Anthony Gordon.
Botman and Wissa Nearing Returns to Action
Howe revealed that both Botman and Wissa trained with a trimmed-down squad at the club's Benton base on Monday morning, raising hopes they could feature against the champions of Azerbaijan. Botman has been sidelined for Newcastle's last three matches with a persistent back problem, while summer signing Wissa has missed four consecutive games with a dead leg that has marred his first season at St James' Park.
"We hope they'll be involved," Howe stated when asked about the pair's availability. "We'll see how they are when they wake up tomorrow but fingers crossed they will be."
Tonali and Gordon Absence Explained
Concerns emerged during Monday's open training session when integral midfielder Sandro Tonali and forward Anthony Gordon - who scored four goals before half-time in the first leg - were notably absent from the group put through their paces. Given Newcastle's gruelling schedule of ten matches across four different competitions in the past month, including the demanding 5,000-mile round trip to Azerbaijan, there was initial speculation about potential injuries.
Howe was quick to provide reassurance, explaining that both players were simply training indoors as part of a managed recovery plan. "There were a few players that we just kept inside today, no real issue, four or five players I think we just wanted to look after," the manager clarified, confirming neither Tonali nor Gordon is carrying any injury.
Champions League Context and Selection Dilemma
Newcastle approach Tuesday's match in an extremely commanding position after their comprehensive 6-1 thrashing of Qarabag in Baku last Wednesday. This dominant performance has virtually secured their place in the last sixteen, where they would face either Barcelona or Chelsea, allowing Howe considerable flexibility with team selection.
Despite this advantageous position, Howe emphasized the importance of maintaining competitive momentum and squad confidence. "We'll look at the squad and try to pick a strong team," he added. "We want to win the game, that's the first target. In some senses we want to keep a good rhythm with the players."
The manager acknowledged the delicate balancing act between rotating his weary squad to ensure freshness and preventing players from losing their match sharpness. "It's a delicate balance between rotating the squad and making sure everyone's fresh and also making sure players don't lose rhythm and we don't lose the good feeling we've had," Howe explained, highlighting the strategic considerations behind his selection decisions.
With Botman and Wissa potentially returning to bolster defensive and attacking options, and Tonali and Gordon confirmed as fully fit despite their indoor training session, Newcastle appear well-positioned to complete their Champions League progression while managing their squad's physical demands effectively.
