Newcastle United have jetted out of Tyneside and started their 2,500 mile trip to Baku for the Champions League qualifier with Qarabag.

The Magpies set off from a chilly Newcastle Airport earlier this morning. They are expected to land in a sunnier, warmer Baku around 6pm local time, before Eddie Howe meets the media at 8.30pm (4.30 GMT).

Newcastle will then train on the pitch at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium. Manager Eddie Howe will make a decision on a number of players who are carrying knocks and niggles after a gruelling run of fixtures.

Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa were ruled out of the Aston Villa clash at the weekend. Botman had a back issue but Howe was hoping he could make the trip to Azerbaijan while Wissa picked up a knock in training.

Two other players who are closing in on returns are Joelinton and Lewis Miley. The midfield duo have missed a handful of games and after Bruno Guimaraes was ruled out for around eight weeks, Howe could do with...