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Marcus Rashford is set to take the place of Lamine Yamal in the Barcelona line-up to face Newcastle United, but coach Hansi Flick needs “eight hours of rest” to decide on another selection issue for the Champions League clash.
Barca will be without Yamal for their Champions League opener at St James’ Park due to a groin injury that also kept him out of their 6-0 thrashing of Valencia last weekend.
Rashford played on the left in that rout, laying on an assist for Raphinha. Flick essentially confirmed he will start against Newcastle and is hopeful the England international can have a major influence as Barca aim to earn a positive result in what is likely to be a raucous atmosphere on Tyneside.
“I want to talk about the players who can play,” Flick told a pre-match press conference. “Tomorrow he [Yamal] can’t play and we’ll see on Sunday. We have a good squad and there are people for the position.
“Rashford is in the team. If someone can’t play, he can come in. I hope he can show in England what he did on Sunday.
“I’ve followed Marcus since Manchester United. What I’ve seen in the first few weeks has been very good and has a little more potential to show. It’s very good to have him in the team. He’s an incredible, fantastic player. What I’m seeing is very good.”
Elsewhere on the Barca forward line, Flick needs to decide whether Ferran Torres or Robert Lewandowski will start through the middle. Torres has led the line in all four of their games so far, but Lewandowski scored twice as a substitute against Valencia.
