Newcastle United opponents subject to internal investigation after 13 players ruled out

Millwall will host Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday night with a depleted first-team squad.

Despite being just a month into the new season, the Lions have picked up 13 first-team injuries so far - prompting an internal investigation.

Millwall currently have seven players already ruled out injured for Tuesday night’s match against Newcastle, while Jenson Metcalfe is suspended following his straight red card in the 4-0 win against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

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And Millwall head coach Alex Neil admitted it has been a testing week heading into the Newcastle match.

“A week is a long time in football,” he said. “A week ago we had just come off the back of Bristol and Norwich, then we lose a couple of games, we sell Femi Azeez at the end of the window, then we lose ten, twelve, thirteen, whatever players. It has been a testing week.”

Newcastle will be without William Osula, Joelinton, Ewen Jaouen and captain Dan Burn for the trip but are expected to be largely as they were from Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth - though Jaissle could be tempted to rotate his squad.

One player who didn’t get off the bench against Bournemouth was £30million summer signing Aladji Bamba.

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When asked about the young midfielder, Jaissle said: “First of all, we need to see how the lads are responding physically and mentally [to Bournemouth]. AB is a young lad with huge potential, yes.

“But also, we know that we need to be patient with him. We need to give him the time for adaptation. Everyone responds a little bit differently to the physicality, to the intensity of the game.

But, yeah, like many other players, he could also be an option.”

It will be Jaissle’s first taste of a midweek away day as Newcastle head coach, with Millwall sure to provide a hostile reception for his side.

“There will be a bit of a special atmosphere down there,” Jaissle said. “I'm aware of that, but it doesn't influence my coaching, but it should not influence the players. We need to have the focus on the pitch, what we can influence, and if we're doing a good job, then we can go a round further.”

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