Barcelona star returns for Newcastle clash as 5-2 win sends Champions League warning

Eddie Howe and Newcastle United have a monumental task ahead of them on Wednesday evening, as they travel to the Camp Nou to play Barcelona in the second leg of our Champions League last 16 tie.

After being the better side in both our league phase game and Tuesday’s first leg, but with no win to show for it just yet, we’ll be hoping that the third time is the charm and we can send the Spanish champions home on their turf.

But Barcelona have been formidable since returning to the Camp Nou. They not only boast a 100% record on the hallowed ground this season, but have a key man back fit for this week's match.

Gavi given green light for Toon clash

Midfield star Gavi is back in contention to start ahead of our Champions League meeting with Barcelona on Wednesday.

Having been out with injury the end of September last year, the graduate of La Masia has been sorely missed by the Catalan giants.

In Barca's Sunday afternoon clash at home to Sevilla, which they won 5-2 thanks to a Raphinha hat-trick, Gavi came on in the 82nd minute, marking his eagerly-awaited return in a victory that sent them four clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Hansi Flick commented on the Spaniard’s return in his pre-Sevilla press conference, saying: “Gavi will be available? Have we announced it? (laughs), yes he will be available, I'm very happy. I hope he can play a few minutes. His dynamism in training is good but we need to manage his minutes. He still has many years of football ahead, we need to be aware of that.”

Gavi looks to be the only return, however, as the key trio of Frenkie de Jong, Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde remain on the sidelines. Lamine Yamal was also rested, keeping him fresh for his battle with Lewis Hall in a few days time.

Mags can match Barca with Miley return

We dominated the midfield and kept Pedri’s influence to a minimum on Tuesday night, but with Gavi’s return, we have another top class talent to contain.

However, Eddie Howe can match with someone who’s been very important to us this season, that being Lewis Miley.

The teenager himself has said he’s pushing to return in time for the trip to Spain. But Howe, like his German counterpart Flick, may take a similar approach on including the star in Wednesday’s early kick-off.

“We were hoping that he'd be fit for (Barcelona away) and I don't actually know if that's deviated at all. He's not training with the group currently. He's on the grass now, running again and working incredibly hard, but all the feedback I've had from the medical team is that we just have to be careful with this injury.

“We don't want it to turn into something a lot more serious. So it's gone on longer than anyone had hoped but the main thing is that he comes back fit.”