Returning Leao boosts Milan's Champions League mission impossible attempt

Rafael Leao returns for AC Milan's last desperate attempt to reach the Champions League knockouts, the seven-time European champions staring at early elimination ahead of their final Group F match at Newcastle on Wednesday.

Portugal attacker Leao has been out of action for the past month with a hamstring injury but Milan are confident their winger will be ready to start at St James' Park and repeat his mesmerising display against Paris Saint-Germain from a month ago.

The 24-year-old is Milan's undoubted star man, the player who when on form is capable of turning a match in his side's favour but whose performances have been erratic in a troubled season for the Italian outfit.

Milan will need the version of Leao which tore PSG to bits if they are to have any chance of progressing to the last 16 as a painful home loss to Borussia Dortmund in their most recent group fixture left qualification out of their hands.

Leao has scored four times and set up three more this season but has been criticised for lacklustre performances, his equaliser in the 2-1 home win over PSG his first goal in the best part of two months.

"Criticism spurs me on, keep talking because I'll reply on the pitch," said Leao after the PSG win, which was the last time he found the net as he picked up his hamstring knock a few days later at Lecce.

After the Dortmund defeat which left Milan bottom of the group, Yacine Adli said his team had a "two-to-three per cent chance of qualifying", and making it to the next round is indeed a tall order.

Milan must beat Newcastle, not an impossible task judging by the 4-1 thumping Eddie Howe's team took at Tottenham on Sunday, but also need group leaders Dortmund to beat PSG who are two points ahead of Milan in second