‘Not traveled’: Newcastle’s 26-year-old player is not in France and will not play against PSG later tonight.

‘Not traveled’: Newcastle’s 26-year-old player is not in France and will not play against PSG later tonight.

Sean Longstaff has not travelled to France for Newcastle United’s UEFA Champions League match against PSG tonight, according to Eddie Howe.

The 26-year-old midfielder joins a growing list of Magpies players on the injured list, having suffered an ankle injury during the international break.

And now, Howe has revealed via Newcastle’s official Twitter account that Longstaff has not even arrived in Paris as part of the Toon’s travelling squad to face PSG.

With Lewis Miley possibly starting for Newcastle this evening, Howe is down to the bare bones in terms of senior players to call on this week.

Longstaff’s latest absence, having missed Saturday’s win over Chelsea, could indicate that the 26-year-old is out for some time, adding to Newcastle’s injury woes.

Indeed, Longstaff has established himself as a key player for Howe since his arrival, and the midfielder’s absence over the holiday period could be devastating for Newcastle.

Newcastle fans will be hoping that Sean Longstaff’s absence from PSG is his last.

For Newcastle fans, injuries have been the biggest talking point of the season, with a new player seemingly going down every few days with a new problem.

Longstaff’s fans will be hoping that he is only missing tonight’s game against PSG ahead of Newcastle’s massive match against Manchester United on Saturday.

With so many players out injured, tonight’s game against Erik Ten Hag’s side in the Premier League could be a total washout for Newcastle.

Longstaff, meanwhile, will be hoping to be back in time to face the Manchester giants, with another massive Premier League result potentially in the making.

READ MORE: Kieran Trippier and Kylian Mbappe are a shambles – Jermaine Jenas

Kieran Trippier and Kylian Mbappe are a shambles – Jermaine Jenas

Tonight, PSG will rely on Kylian Mbappe.

They are not a one-man team, but it is fair to say that PSG are not the same threat without arguably the best player in the world.

 

Concerning the threat. Kieran Trippier was not only a better defender than Kylian Mbappe at St James’ Park, but he was also a far more potent attacking force on the night of that 4-1 thrashing.

 

The pair are set to meet again, though Eddie Howe has the option of switching Trippier and Livramento from where they played against Chelsea (right and left), and Lewis Hall is also a possibility to play on the left.

 

Of course, the NUFC manager has few options tonight, but he will have been pleased with his full-backs, among others, in Saturday’s 4-1 victory.

Jermaine Jenas discussed one potential match-up ahead of tonight’s game, saying, “I don’t think anybody sitting here is like ‘Kieran Trippier can deal with Mbappe on his own’ because he can’t, it’s a complete mismatch.”

Newcastle United, like pretty much every other team that has ever played in Paris, will undoubtedly look to double up when Kylian Mbappe gets the ball in dangerous positions.

However, referring to Kieran Trippier and Kylian Mbappe as a ‘complete mismatch’ is extremely disrespectful to the England defender. When the France international did get one on one with Trippier at St James’ Park, I don’t recall him getting much joy.

My memory of the game is that Kieran Trippier tried to get as close to Kylian Mbappe as possible, which is what any opponent should do. The last thing any defender wants is for Mbappe to have all the time in the world to receive the ball and then run at them. In those situations, Kylian Mbappe is unquestionably the best.

 

Jermaine Jenas speaks to TNT Sports ahead of PSG’s match against Newcastle United:

“I still believe they can afford to draw this game and put pressure on PSG for the final game.”

“The Dortmund games were tight, really, really tight, and they are the kind of games that define you in the Champions League, and not winning your home games can cost you a lot of points.”

“But this group is so tight, anyone can beat anyone at any given time.”

“Newcastle United are a team that has matured and grown to the point where they thrive on big occasions.”

“I believe they find a way to step it up in those games, but I believe their squad has been so volatile this season.”

“I don’t think it’s a surprise that there have been some poor performances at times, but you have to wonder how they keep pulling off results like they did against Chelsea at the weekend, because you look at them and think, ‘They’re down to the bare bones.'”

“When they step out at the Parc des Princes, it’s going to be one of those occasions that they’ll see the magnitude of knowing they need a result and more often than not they deliver.”

“The defensive nature of Newcastle is a collective thing.”

“I don’t think anyone here is thinking, ‘Kieran Trippier can handle Mbappe on his own,’ because he can’t; it’s a complete mismatch.”

“In terms of form, Lascelles is one of the best defensive players in the league.” I think what he’s done so far this season is nothing short of remarkable.

“A player that everyone thought was done and dusted at Newcastle has come back and really shown some top-level form that Howe can really lean on.”

Newcastle United striker options, according to Jermaine Jenas:

“It’s a shame because Isak and Wilson are both so prone to injury.”

“They have the potential to make a difference.

“In the game against Dortmund, I thought Wilson was very ineffective; he didn’t really get himself involved in the game as much as Howe would have liked.”

“Isak can provide a unique issue for teams; he likes to go out wide and create issues from the left side.”

“I think having one of them fit is really important.