Newcastle United will be missing one of their young midfielders for the FA Cup quarter-final clash against Manchester City this Saturday. Joe White, the midfielder, will not be available for selection due to FA Cup regulations.
Despite making two substitute appearances for Newcastle after returning from his loan stint at Crewe Alexandra, White will not feature in the upcoming match at the Etihad Stadium. This absence stems from FA Cup rules, as White is cup-tied to Crewe, having already played three times for the League Two side in the FA Cup earlier this season.
According to FA Cup regulations, a player cannot represent more than one club in the competition during the same season. Therefore, White’s previous involvement with Crewe in the FA Cup renders him ineligible to participate for Newcastle in this quarter-final tie, as was the case in the previous round against Blackburn Rovers.
White will be aiming to return to the fold for Newcastle’s subsequent fixture against West Ham United after the international break. However, competition for playing time has intensified with the recent returns from injury of Elliot Anderson and Joe Willock. Manager Eddie Howe expressed optimism about White’s progress, highlighting his improvement during training sessions and his significant role in the team’s future.
Having signed a three-year professional contract with Newcastle in 2022, White faces a pivotal juncture in his career at 21 years old. His loan experiences in League One and League Two have showcased his potential, and his performance for the remainder of the season will likely influence decisions regarding his future involvement with the club.
