Overview
- The first leg kicks off at 8:00pm GMT on Tuesday at St James’ Park, with the return scheduled for early February at the Etihad.
- UK coverage is live on ITV1 and Sky Sports with streaming via ITVX and Sky Go, and U.S. viewers can watch on Paramount+.
- The EFL assigned Chris Kavanagh as referee with assistants Dan Cook and Ian Hussin, VAR Stuart Attwell, AVAR Craig Taylor and fourth official Matthew Donohue.
- A revised Rule 6.4 allows players to appear for two clubs after a mid-season move, making Antoine Semenyo eligible despite featuring for Bournemouth earlier; he scored and assisted on his City debut in a 10-1 FA Cup win over Exeter.
- Injuries constrain both teams, with Newcastle missing Dan Burn, Emil Krafth, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and William Osula, and City without John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Mateo Kovacic, Savinho and Oscar Bobb, as the holders defend a 13-match home unbeaten run.