Official reason why Sean Longstaff misses Leeds United return v Newcastle United
.jpg?width=96&crop=1:1,smart)
Newcastle United latest news: Sean Longstaff will not feature for Daniel Farke's side at Elland Road tonight.
Sean Longstaff will not feature for Leeds United tonight as he misses out on making his first appearance as an opposition player at St James’ Park.
Longstaff had missed a month of action with a calf injury at the end of 2025, but returned to the Leeds United matchday squad ahead of their clash with Manchester United at the weekend. Leeds would draw that game 1-1 in what would prove to be Ruben Amorim’s final match in charge of the Red Devils.
Longstaff was an unused substitute that day but was expected to feature on Tyneside tonight. However, he has not been included in Daniel Farke’s 20-man squad for the trip to the north east after being ruled-out through injury.
Leeds United team news v Newcastle United
Leeds United vs Newcastle United: Perri; Justin, Rodon, Bijol, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Ampadu, Gruev, Stach; Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Darlow, Byram, Bornauw, Tanaka, Harrison, Gnonto, Okafor, Piroe, Nmecha.
The Gazette has launched a new WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
Whilst Longstaff’s omission from the squad is a surprise, he was not expected to start at St James’ Park. Farke admitted earlier this week that the midfielder was not in a position to start matches for his team: “Sean, if I am honest, my plan was to involve him for the first time in the FA Cup game because he was out for slightly more than six weeks,” Farke said ahead of his side’s trip to the north east.
“Normally with a player like this after such an injury you like at least a full week of training. But Sean is such an important player for us, not just on the pitch but off the pitch with his personality in the dressing room.
“Particularly when other key players are unavailable, it becomes crucial. Currently, we're not conducting full team training, but he has participated and had a significant session today. We'll see who's available.
“Ethan Ampadu will return which is vital for us. Sean stands a chance to rejoin the squad.
“He definitely won't play the full 90 minutes, certainly not starting, but perhaps a few minutes. We'll see who's available.”
Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow has been named on the Leeds United bench for the visit to his former stomping ground. Joe Rodon, meanwhile, was expected to miss tonigh’s game but has not only been included in Farke’s squad, but will start in the heart of his defence at St James’ Park.
Ethan Ampadu also returns to the starting XI following suspension. The Welsh international picked up his fifth yellow card of the season during Leeds’ draw with Liverpool and so was forced to sit out of their draw with Manchester United at the weekend.