RIO FERDINAND claims that Newcastle will be glad to have been dumped out of Europe entirely.
Eddie Howe’s depleted squad finished bottom of their Champions League group after losing 2-1 to AC Milan at St James’ Park.
The Toon’s European adventure has come to an end, but Ferdinand believes that it could be a blessing in disguise.
Appearing on TNT Sports, the former Manchester United star said: “Eddie Howe and the players can’t say this but I’m guaranteeing you now but they’ll be delighted to not go into the Europa League.
“Because the amount of injuries they’ve got, Kieran Trippier just limped past us here, talking about the amount of injuries they’ve got, and a few of them are quite long-term.
“It makes it very difficult to be battling on many fronts in different competitions when your squad is so threadbare.
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“They have to get these players back fit, and more and more games would make that more and more unlikely to get players back fit.”
Jermaine Jenas then pointed out that the Europa League would have provided an opportunity to qualify for the Champions League via a different route, given the intense competition for places in the Prem.
The former Toon midfielder then added that more European football “would have been good” for his old side, but did concede: “I get Rio’s point.
“They’re down to their bare bones. Kieran Trippier’s just walked very slowly by us having been taken off. He’s another one that they’re going to have to look at moving forwards.
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“It’s a tough time for them but he’s going to have to rally them, get them together for the rest of the season.”
Newcastle are currently without Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson, Sven Botman, Joe Willock, Harvey Barnes, Javier Manquillo and Matt Targett due to injuries.
They were boosted by the return of Dan Burn from a back injury last night, but Sandro Tonali remains suspended.
After last night’s game, Howe admitted he was “devastated” with his side’s early exit.
The Toon boss said: “We’ve gone into Champions League games with very few options in terms of team selections and in-game changes. That’s hurt us in a number of games.
“That’s not an excuse, it’s just reality. Even today, I had to make two changes I didn’t want to make. We’re devastated with the result.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
