'A shame': Eddie Howe delivers verdict as injury blow confirmed before Newcastle vs Barcelona clash | OneFootball

Talented youngster has not travelled for the Champions League showdown

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says “it’s a shame” Barcelona will be without Lamine Yamal for Thursday’s Champions League tie.

Yamal missed Barcelona’s 6-0 thumping of Valencia at the weekend due to the reoccurrence of a groin issue that flared up again while on international duty with Spain earlier in the month.

Barcelona’s worst fears were confirmed on Wednesday morning when the squad list for the trip to Newcastle was announced with the talented teenager not named in the travelling party alongside Alejandro Balde, Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Yamal, who is on the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist, took the Champions League by storm last season with a series of impressive performances as Barcelona reached the semi-final.

Furthermore, the 18-year-old has started this season in fine form, scoring twice and providing three assists in three LaLiga outings thus far.

Commenting on Yamal’s absence in the pre-match press conference, Howe said: “For me it's a shame he's not playing, disappointed we don't get to see him at his best.

“But whoever they play, they have real pace in wide areas, international players who will challenge us in different ways.

“So I think structurally our team performance has got to be really strong.

“We have to defend well in wide area, we are looking forward to that battle.”

Injury blow: Lamine Yamal

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In Yamal’s absence, Hansi Flick could opt to stick with Roony Bardghji on the right-hand side of Barcelona’s attack after the summer signing started the win over Valencia.

Alternatively, Raphinha could be restored to the right having impressed on the opposite flank last season, thus allowing Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford to retain his place on the left.

Another option is using Ferran Torres out wide and bringing Robert Lewandowski back into the starting XI after the centre-forward scored twice as a substitute at the weekend.