Sunday sees Newcastle United and Manchester United meet for a huge Champions League showdown.
Unlike in February’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley, it is Newcastle who head into the game in finer fettle.
Wins over Wolves and Nottingham Forest before the international break breathed new life into their top four challenge and three points would take Eddie Howe’s side above the Old Trafford giants on goal difference.
While Erik ten Hag’s side have impressed this season, they were beaten 7-0 by rivals Liverpool and drew with Southampton before the break, ceding ground in the top four.
Sunday afternoon then, looks something of shootout.
Marcus Rashford returns to training ahead of Newcastle clash
Which is why the sight of Marcus Rashford returning to training is concerning for Newcastle.
The England international has scored 27 goals this season, including the vital second in the Carabao Cup final.
Rashford joined Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope in pulling out of the Three Lions squad for the Euro 2024 qualifier wins over Italy and Ukraine after picking up a slight injury against Fulham.
Now, the club have confirmed on their official website the 25-year-old has returned to training at Carrington, though only on a light basis and away from the main group.
Forget Rashford: Casemiro is a bigger miss
In an ideal world, Newcastle would not have to come up against one of Europe’s form players for such a key game against a rival to their objectives.
Still, the absence of Casemiro feels more pertinent. Another player to have scored against Howe’s side at Wembley, the Brazilian has proven an excellent signing for the Manchester club.
The former Real Madrid man ranks first and third in ten Hag’s side squad for tackles and interceptions per game (3.1 and 1.4 respectively by WhoScored) and his suspension has to be considered a boost for Newcastle.
So good at Wembley, not seeing him man the middle of the park at St James’ is good for news for Howe.
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