Newcastle United post injury hint as £71m duo are not pictured in training ahead of Man City FA Cup clash.

Newcastle United are concerned about the fitness of many key players as they prepare for the difficult task of going to face FA Cup holders Manchester City this weekend. The Magpies have a poor record against the Sky Blues, having only beaten them away twice since the beginning of the twenty-first century.

The most recent of these was nearly a decade ago, when Alan Pardew’s side won the League Cup 2-0. Prior to that, Newcastle fans had to go back to 2000, when Alan Shearer scored a late header to give Bobby Robson’s side a 1-0 victory.

Newcastle’s head-to-head record with Manchester City has been dismal over the previous quarter of a decade, but they can take heart from the fact that they defeated last year’s treble winners earlier in the season in a hard-fought 1-0 League Cup victory at St James’ Park.

The form book is undoubtedly in City’s favour entering into the game, as they have a record in all competitions since the beginning of 2024. Meanwhile, Newcastle are 10th in the league and trying to rebound from a humiliating 3-2 loss to Chelsea.

Newcastle’s confirmed absentees include Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Joelinton, the suspended Sandro Tonali, and Callum Wilson. Harvey Barnes, a summer addition, was a surprising absentee for the Chelsea loss due to a minor injury, capping up an injury-plagued season for the ex-Leicester man.

He was not spotted in training before of Newcastle’s match against the triple champions, and Anthony Gordon was also absent, despite receiving his first England call-up. Injuries to both would leave Newcastle without a designated left winger for their FA Cup quarter-final clash, though Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron could play on the opposite side if necessary.