Newcastle United have 11 first-team players on the sidelines due to injury and suspension
Chris Waddle is concerned about Newcastle United’s injury list ahead of next month’s all-or-nothing clash with AC Milan. As expected, the Champions League “Group of Death” will be decided on December 13.
Only one player from Newcastle, PSG, or AC Milan will join Borussia Dortmund in the knockout stages. Following PSG’s contentious late equalizer last night, the Magpies’ fate is out of their hands.
Newcastle must defeat Milan at St James’ Park and hope that Dortmund, who qualified with a win at the San Siro, at least draws with PSG. Waddle, a former Newcastle fan, believes home advantage will help, but he is concerned about Newcastle’s injury list.
Eddie Howe had 11 players on the bench and chose not to make a substitute at the Parc des Princes, despite having 11 players on the bench made up of goalkeepers, defenders, and academy players. “They’re (Newcastle) at home, the atmosphere is going to be electric,” Waddle said on BBC Radio 5 Live. At home, they usually have a lot more energy.
“They’re very hard to play against. It’s (St James’ Park) a hard place to get a result. The players seem to love a challenge when they run out there with the atmosphere. It gives them that extra yard.
“Milan will be in for a fight, we know the Italians like to dictate the pace of the game and slow it down. They’ll be looking for free kicks and advantages but it’s a hard place to go. I just worry about the injuries. If he can get some back, great.
“But if he has to go with this squad for the next four weeks, I feel for them. The Champions League is very demanding. It will be interesting to see how the players’ fitness lasts over the next few weeks.”
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