Newcastle could be forced to play third-choice goalkeeper Loris Karius against AC Milan in the Champions League.
An injury crisis means that at least eight of Eddie Howe's first-team players will miss the crunch match on Wednesday night, when Newcastle must beat Milan at St James’ Park and hope that Borussia Dortmund also avoid defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in order to reach the last 16.
First-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope is out for months with a shoulder injury, while back-up Martin Dubravka did not train on Tuesday due to illness.
Manager Howe said it remains “unclear” whether Dubravka will be fit to play, potentially paving the way for Karius’s first Champions League appearance since he made two high-profile blunders to cost Liverpool the 2018 final against Real Madrid.
Karius left Liverpool for Union Berlin in 2020, before joining Newcastle last summer. He has played just once for the Magpies so far - against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley back in February, with Pope suspended on that occasion and Dubravka cup-tied.
Newcastle, in their first Champions League campaign for 20 years, sit third in Group F heading into Wednesday's must-win Milan game, with second place enough to reach the knockouts.
If they finish third, they will drop down to the Europa League and contest a play-off round fixture in the New Year. Fourth would see them crash out of Europe altogether.
Newcastle drew 0-0 with Milan at the San Siro in their first group match back in September, before thrashing PSG 4-1 on a famous night at St James’ Park. But two defeats by Dortmund and a draw in Paris have left their fate out of their own hands.
“We are very positive going into the match. I think it’s got all the hallmarks of being a very special night”, said Howe.
“To be here with some kind of destiny in our hands — maybe not in our hands — I think we would have taken that.
“The tournament itself is special. The places we’ve been have been incredible — the stadiums, the atmospheres, the experiences we’ve had here at home have also been memorable. We have one more game, and we want to make this as memorable as possible.
"I’ve watched a lot of football in preparation for this game and, Milan, I feel they are a very dangerous team. We’ve got to come out all guns blazing.”
England striker Callum Wilson has only featured in three of Newcastle’s five group-stage games so far due to injury, but hopes to start on Wednesday.
Speaking about the fact that he is yet to score in the Champions League, Wilson said: “I personally believe it hasn’t happened yet because it’s waiting for a special moment to happen. What a story it would be if it’s the winning goal."
