An official Newcastle United injury update on Friday morning.
Eddie Howe speaking to journalists.
The NUFC Head Coach speaking after two home matches in the past week.
Plus of course now, Eddie Howe hoping to now pick up a big three points in London, as Newcastle face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon.
We already knew that a number of Newcastle United players would be missing.
As well as the banned Sandro Tonali, due to injuries and/or ongoing recoveries, also expected to be missing were Nick Pope, Callum Wilson, Joelinton, Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, Lewis Miley, Miguel Almiron, Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman and Matt Targett. Eddie Howe asked this morning if any of these might be back for Fulham and predictably saying a big fat no to that.
Eddie Howe then having these messages on Friday morning:
Eddie Howe on Lewis Hall:
“We hope he’s fine and that he’ll be back training.
“We anticipate he’ll be part of the group [for tomorrow].”
Eddie Howe on Jamaal Lascelles:
“A big blow for us and for Jamaal. He’s been excellent this season.
“Behind the scenes he’s been a key part of our leadership team.
“Initially for a player it’s difficult to accept that you’re faced with a long period of rehabilitation. He’s had his operation and that was successful so he’s already on the road to recovery.”
I think fair to say that we weren’t anticipating any surprise good news, as in, any of the players we assumed we weren’t going to play at Fulham, suddenly becoming available.
Eddie Howe mentions Lewis Hall hopefully back training today and ok for Fulham. The NUFC Head Coach had said post-Everton that he came off on Tuesday night due to fatigue, not injury.
Then he (Lewis Hall) was included in the official training photos released by the club from Thursday’s session. So presumably he was just doing light training and not part of the group. Still, it would be a major surprise (and disappointment!) if he isn’t available and starting tomorrow, as Hall made a positive impression this past week, finally getting decent minutes on the pitch.
Eddie Howe making no mention of Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth, neither of whom could be seen in yesterday’s official training shots. Always difficult to know for sure as players can be innocently missed out of the set of published photos and/or Eddie Howe wants to keep the opposition guessing…
Plus no surprise as well if especially Schar was just resting yesterday, or doing light work in the gym, he has put in a serious shift so far this season for Newcastle United.
Fingers crossed we have no further nasty surprises tomorrow when it comes to unavailable players.
Newcastle United confirmed Premier League matches to mid-April 2024:
Saturday 6 April 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3pm)
Saturday 13 April 2024 – Newcastle v Spurs (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Wednesday 24 April 2024 – Crystal Palace v Newcastle (8pm)
Saturday 27 April 2024 – Newcastle v Sheff Utd (3pm)
Newcastle United fixtures, including to be confirmed matches:
Saturday 4 May 2024 – Burnley v Newcastle
Saturday 11 May 2024 – Newcastle v Brighton
Sunday 19 May 2024 – Brentford v Newcastle (4pm)
***Man U v Newcastle waiting for rearranged date
Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)
Friday 24 May 2024 – A-League All Stars team v Newcastle (at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)