The first leg of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup semi-final at Southampton is fast approaching. The club have a great chance at a Wembley final but must overcome the Saints first.
Newcastle enter the match with a bit of an issue in front of the goal. The team has created plenty of chances but finishing them has proved difficult in recent weeks.
Eddie Howe may opt to freshen up his eleven by replacing Callum Wilson with Alexander Isak at the top of the pitch. I suspect he may do just that and field the following team tonight.
The injury situation on Tyneside has significantly improved. Their are just three Magpies ruled out tonight with a fourth, Martin Dubravka, ineligible after playing in the competition during his loan spell at Manchester United.
Southampton also have just three players injured. They have just recalled defender Jan Bednarek from his loan at Villa Park. The Pole is eligible to play tonight.
Newcastle Injuries
Emil Krafth (knee), Jonjo Shelvey (calf), Matt Targett (heel), Martin Dubravka (cup-tied)
Southampton Injuries
Juan Larios (muscular), Tino Livramento (knee), Stuart Armstrong (groin)
Our poll shows that fans remain optimistic of another excellent result. Well over 90% of voters expect Newcastle to leave St Mary’s in excellent shape for the second leg next Tuesday. The priority tonight is to set the stage for a comfortable night in one week.

81 comments so far
Dingo®
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:01 PM
Comment #1HWTL
Rob
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:04 PM
Comment #2Uefa sets 5 year limit on contracts as chelsea has put players on 7.5 and 8 year contracts to spread payments hence dodging ffp.
Rob
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:04 PM
Comment #3The toon to win 2-0
WLtoon
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:04 PM
Comment #4SSN confirming Toon in talks for Gordon, you know what, i reckon he will be on the bench v West Ham
Ap
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:05 PM
Comment #5Anyone on here born after 1970? Government has increased retirement age 🙁
WLtoon
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:06 PM
Comment #6Gordon now 1/2 to join us, next best odds are Spuds at 10/1
lochinvar
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:07 PM
Comment #7If Gordon arrives he’ll be on the pitch v West Ham ang get booked like Ladcalles, eventhough he’s not been bought on as a sub . The new Batty-Nolan energiser maybe.
The Prince's Mate
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:07 PM
Comment #8Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 24, 2023 at 4:53 PM
Comment #85
TPM
But do they have a ‘Plan 9’
Naaa, 8 1/2…sorry
lochinvar
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:08 PM
Comment #9‘Same old Chelsea, always cheating’ used to be the chant.
Guess it’s as valid today as always.
The Prince's Mate
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:08 PM
Comment #10Ap@5, what to…105???
bettyswallocks
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:12 PM
Comment #11WLtoon…. Should have lumped on yesterday at 5 / 4…
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:13 PM
Comment #12Ap, Only if you have a photo driving licence.
bettyswallocks
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:17 PM
Comment #13That Mudrych does look very special mind… Superstar in the making me thinks ?
onmeedsun
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:18 PM
Comment #14Don’t think UEFA will be able to change the FFP rules to limit player contracts to 5 years. Restraint of trade. They can’t force the actual length of a contract and clubs will argue their FFP accounting is just reflecting the commercial reality. Long contracts could also end up generating losses so it’s not all upside for clubs.
Ap
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:18 PM
Comment #15Princes mate To 68. Pugalot thats bad news for me
Ap
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:19 PM
Comment #16I was hoping to retire by 55
lochinvar
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:19 PM
Comment #17Just to get us in the mood
https://youtu.be/IZr6AE-u2UM
Away fans we who eat pies salute you
onmeedsun
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:20 PM
Comment #18We need to play to win tonight, although I predicted a draw. If we keep creating 15 plus chances a game surely at some point we’ll score a few. Hopefully Eddie has the players in the right mindset. Forget history etc, just play the game.
lochinvar
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:20 PM
Comment #19Retire at 68 ?
Can I get a refund ?
WLtoon
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:22 PM
Comment #20Bettys
Aye should of, too late now
The Prince's Mate
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:25 PM
Comment #21Ap@16…retire at55 mate…you might be skint after a while tho…
Tinos Vino
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:26 PM
Comment #22onemeedson they are not banning the length of contract just saying you can write off the fee over a maximum of 5 years so making what Chelsea are doing kind of pointless. EG £88m 8 year contract can’t be £11m a year like it is now but it will be £17.6m a year . But they can still give the player an 8 year contract.
At least thats my understanding
Davas
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:26 PM
Comment #23Don’t think the new ffp rules limit players contract length, just the length of time to pay the transfer fee
Tinos Vino
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:27 PM
Comment #24£17.6m x 5 years
Davas
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:27 PM
Comment #25Tinos vino
Snap 🙂
Tinos Vino
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:27 PM
Comment #26🙂
The Prince's Mate
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:28 PM
Comment #27Ap I was born 1955 but still had to wait until I was 66 before I could claim state pension…but still having to work p/t…life can be a b…h
Flurzinho
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:29 PM
Comment #28I have a feeling for a 2-0 win for us tonight.
HWTL
Tinos Vino
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:30 PM
Comment #29had to give a very precise figure so TDS didn’t have a go at my maths 🙂
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:30 PM
Comment #30Or to amortise the fee under FFP.
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:31 PM
Comment #31Is anyone on here going to the match? Pug, I thought you were going to go?
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:35 PM
Comment #32Tinos – I’m not that bad! 🙂 But yeah, that’s my understanding too. They could only divide by 5 years for FFP. This won’t be backdated though so would only count for future transfers, they’ve got away with it for the ones they’ve already done. Wages count here too and I presume things like signing on fees and other bonuses will count too, not sure about agent’s fees.
Chelsea are taking a hell of a risk. With this ruling plus the rule about limiting the number of players they can loan out, they could be stuck with players on long, high-value contracts that they can’t get rid of. I think it’s a stupid risk to take.
Ap
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:37 PM
Comment #33Prince mate ive got todd boehly advising me on loopholes ill be fine. State pension might be 68 i guess but the employer employee pension pot i think allows retirement at 55? So use that for 13 years before state pension kicks in? I wont be a big spender when im retired so fingers crossed should be ok
Ap
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:37 PM
Comment #34Loads to buy now though 😉
Tinos Vino
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:39 PM
Comment #35TDS as others have said if they cant loan out any of the surplus or move them on then yes very dangerous indeed. However if it works then could be genius.
only time will tell. if they don’t get into the CL and players see that they will not get game time they will attract only those who would sit on the bench for 8 years worth of money and be happy. Not exactly what they want i guess.
The Prince's Mate
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:40 PM
Comment #36Tonight is a cup game and form means nothing(Hereford anyone?)
We must concentrate like never before
Tinos Vino
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:41 PM
Comment #37we need our shooting boots on Southampton will be up for this
magicmac54
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:42 PM
Comment #38https://youtu.be/F7rM4Cz6dpk
The Prince's Mate
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:42 PM
Comment #39Ap@33…I forgot private pension…rules were you could withdraw 25% tax free…Good luck
The Prince's Mate
Jan 24, 2023 at 5:44 PM
Comment #40Ap you must have one helluva private pension…well done you