In the Group of Death, the objective is simple- survive and advance. If Newcastle United are going to do so, it will be in spite of a massive injury crisis, one that doesn’t appear to be easing any time soon. Sven Botman is drawing closer to a return for Toon, but it likely won’t be in time to face AC Milan on Wednesday night.
Other than that, it doesn’t seem like anyone else will be coming off the injured list by the time the midweek cash rolls around.
AC Milan at Newcastle United FYIs
Kick: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2023 8:00 PM Local Time, St. James Park, Newcastle, UK
Preview Material for Both Sides: Team News Starting XI Predictions
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Competition: UEFA Champions League, Group F, Matchday 6 of 6
Group of Death Standing: AC Milan 4th, 5 pts Newcastle 3rd, 5 pts
Group of Death Form: AC Milan LWLDD Newcastle DLLWD
Google Result Probability: AC Milan 24% Newcastle 51% Draw 25%
Team News for Both Sides
Joe Willock, Elliot Anderson, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Matt Targett and Dan Burn all remain sidelined due to injury for Newcastle. We probably won’t see any of them in action again until after the festive period completes. Meanwhile starting goalkeeper Nick Pope is now on the shelf until April. That is the latest timeline of recovery for him, given that surgery was needed to repair his dislocated shoulder.
And finally, Sandro Tonali is suspended until next season.
Shifting gears to Milan, Simon Kjaer, Malick Thiaw, Marco Pellegrino, Noah Okafor, Marco Sportiello and Pierre Kalulu will all most likely miss out on this one.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.