Newcastle United handed big injury boost as opponents' captain picks up muscle problem

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Newcastle United's chances of getting off to a winning start in this season's UEFA Champions League have been given a shot in the arm

Image for Newcastle United handed big injury boost as opponents' captain picks up muscle problem
Barcelona squad 2025-26 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Newcastle begin their Champions League campaign at home to LaLiga giants Barcelona on Thursday, September 18.

The Magpies return to the competition after a one-year hiatus, having narrowly missed out on making it through the group stage two seasons ago.

Eddie Howe's side faced Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan in Europe during 2022-23 but on this occasion will face a minimum of eight different teams due to the Champions League's rebrand.

Barcelona skipper a doubt for Newcastle Champions League tie

Frenkie de Jong in action for the Netherlands

Frenkie de Jong in action for the Netherlands (Image credit: Getty Images)

The league phase draw has pitted Newcastle against Barcelona first with a key Los Cules midfielder a fresh doubt for the visit to Tyneside.

Frenkie de Jong, who occasionally skippers Hansi Flick's side, has sustained an injury and may no longer appear at St. James' Park in under a fortnight.

Frenkie De Jong during Spanish King Cup match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Mestalla Stadium. in Valencia, Spain on February 6, 2025.

Frenkie De Jong during Spanish King Cup match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Mestalla Stadium. in Valencia, Spain on February 6, 2025. (Image credit: Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)

An official Barcelona statement read: "The player Frenkie de Jong has suffered a slight injury to the external obturator [hip] muscle in his right leg. His recovery will determine his availability."

Newcastle could be without their own midfield talisman in Joelinton, who suffered a hip injury in the 3-2 home defeat to Liverpool last month.

The north-east club have added Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw and a handful of others this summer, spending heavily to supplement Howe's squad.

Barcelona will not go up against Alexander Isak on Tyneside after the Swedish international striker completed a British record transfer to Liverpool.

Alexander Isak signs for Liverpool in a British record transfer from Newcastle

Alexander Isak signs for Liverpool in a British record transfer from Newcastle (Image credit: Getty Images)

De Jong captained Barcelona during their entertaining Champions League semi-final defeat over two legs to Inter Milan last season, playing every minute of the tie which went to extra time after the second leg in Italy.

He appeared in 13 of Barcelona's 14 Champions League fixtures last term, as well as 26 times in the league. This year, he has started two of Flick's side's three league matches. The Dutchman has made 261 appearances for the Camp Nou club since moving from AFC Ajax in 2019.

Joe Donnohue
Joe Donnohue
Senior Digital Writer

Joe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.

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