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Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon training absence explained as Newcastle ponder playing youths

Manager Eddie Howe is considering resting senior players and starting youngsters for the Champions League second leg after a 6-1 first-leg lead.

  • During an open training at Benton, Tonali and Gordon were not pictured, raising questions before Tuesday's match at St James' Park.
  • Eddie Howe said he is weighing resting senior players due to a hectic fixture schedule and kept four or five players inside as a precaution, seeing no real issue.
  • Gordon's first-leg form remains strong after missing the last three matches, as he scored four goals in the match in Baku.
  • Given Howe must decide whether to start youngsters or select a stronger side for the second leg, as Sean Neave, an 18-year-old striker, made his first-team debut and trained with academy players.
  • Looking toward the last 16, Newcastle United's 6-1 advantage is nearly certain to secure progress, with Malick Thiaw suspended after three bookings.
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The Analyst broke the news in on Monday, February 23, 2026.
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