Newcastle United player completes remarkable turnaround two years after Eddie Howe snub

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Newcastle United have officially unveiled their squad for the 2025/26 Champions League.

It is not long until Newcastle United kick off their Champions League campaign, with Barcelona heading to St James’ Park on 18th September.

The Magpies have been handed an intriguing Champions League draw, with Eddie Howe’s side also set to face the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Bayer Leverkusen and PSV Eindhoven.

With the competition set to begin very soon, Newcastle United have announced their Champions League squad. It includes 21 senior players, with the Magpies penalised for not having any club-trained players after the departure of Sean Longstaff.

That has forced Howe to leave out some players, but there is a place for Emil Krafth.

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Emil Krafth named in Newcastle United’s Champions League squad

The Sweden international has made the cut, having been included in the Magpies’ 21-man squad for the upcoming Champions League adventure.

It is an important moment for Krafth, given what happened to him the last time Newcastle were in European football’s elite competition.

In 2023, Howe was able to name a 23-man squad for the Champions League. However, there was no room for Krafth.

The right-back was forced to miss out, alongside Matt Ritchie.

Despite having a smaller squad on this occasion, Krafth is going to be part of Newcastle’s Champions League campaign. It will be a dream come true for the 31-year-old, who has never played in the competition before.

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The senior players who are not in Newcastle United’s Champions League squad

Not every Newcastle player has been as lucky as Krafth. Unfortunately, Howe has had to leave some players out.

The most notable omission is Jamaal Lascelles. The centre-back was part of the Magpies’ previous Champions League campaign, performing incredibly well in the famous 4-1 win over PSG.

Elsewhere, there is no room for John Ruddy, Mark Gillespie or Harrison Ashby.

Lewis Miley and Lewis Hall have not been named in Newcastle’s ‘A-list’ for the Champions League, but are on the ‘B-list’ alongside the Magpies’ other club-trained players. They will both be available to play for Eddie Howe.