Injury return dates are expected as Newcastle United faces a £287 million selection crisis.
Eddie Howe is dealing with a major injury crisis ahead of Newcastle United’s visit to Premier League rivals Bournemouth.
Eddie Howe might have thought the football gods were conspiring against him as Newcastle United’s injury crisis worsened over the last week.
The Magpies had a largely positive week, winning the Carabao Cup against Manchester United and taking all three points against Premier League rivals Arsenal in a memorable 90 minutes at St James Park on Saturday.
Tuesday night’s Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund may have left Newcastle’s chances of progressing to the knockout stages hanging by a thread – but the United manager should be given some leeway as he continues to deal with a long list of absentees.
With just a few days until Newcastle return to Premier League action at Bournemouth, NewcastleWorld examines the potential return dates of those players who will miss the long trip to the South Coast.
Shoulder by Jacob Murphy
The dependable winger suffered a shoulder injury in United’s 1-0 home loss to Borussia Dortmund last month but returned earlier than expected in Saturday’s win over Arsenal. Murphy’s comeback, however, was limited to a 16-minute appearance because his shoulder popped out again, necessitating surgery.
“We were fully aware that, potentially, he could do it again,” Magpies manager Howe said after the win over the Gunners. When you have a dislocation, you have a chance of dislocating again. He appears to have, so he will undoubtedly require that surgery now.But there was also the possibility that he would recover and continue to play for us. It’s an obvious setback. I’m not sure how long he’ll be out for off the top of my head, but I’m guessing it’ll be around three months.”
“But there was also the possibility that he would recover and continue to play for us.” It’s an obvious setback. I’m not sure how long he’ll be out for off the top of my head, but I’m guessing it’ll be around three months.”
The anticipated return date is February 2024.
Lower Back – Dan Burn
During that memorable win over Mikel Arteta’s men, Howe suffered a double blow when Dan Burn suffered a severe injury to his lower back, putting the Blyth-born defender out until the new year.
“Unfortunately, Dan will be out for some time,” Howe stated.
“It could be a few months; that is a speculative answer.” I believe he has a problem at the base of his spine. It’s a huge setback for us.”
The anticipated return date is January 2024.
Footwear by Harvey Barnes
Summer commitment Barnes has made just seven appearances for the Magpies since joining ahead of the new season, and his transition to life on Tyneside has been hampered by a foot injury sustained in the 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield United in September.
At the time, Howe said the winger would be out until the new year, adding, “We think he’ll be out for around three months.” Although there was no need for surgery, his foot is now in a boot. It’s an injury beneath his big toe. He’s begun his recovery and needs to rest.”
The anticipated return date is January 2024.
Knee Sven Botman
The elegant Dutch defender is recovering from a knee injury but is unlikely to return until next month. Howe was asked about the centre-back’s return ahead of the recent draw at Wolves but could only reveal his recovery was being taken ‘day-by-day’.
“Botman is unclear at the moment,” he said. So we’re taking it one day at a time. There’s a problem there, and we’re working on it. We have several options for diagnosing the injury.”
The expected return date is December.
Isak, Alexander – Groin
Swedish striker Isak limped out of last month’s loss to former club Borussia Dortmund and is not expected to recover fully until after the upcoming international break.
“It looks like a reoccurrence of his groin problem,” Howe said after the loss. It doesn’t appear to be serious, but it’s enough to keep him out, which is a significant blow for a player of his caliber.”
The expected return date is in late November.
Callum Wilson is a hamstring specialist.
Wilson’s hamstring injury forced him out of United’s defeat at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night, adding to the club’s striker shortage.
“Callum was feeling a tightness in his hamstring; that forced our hand as well, so we are really stretched,” Howe said of the England striker’s fitness for Saturday’s long trip to Bournemouth. It’s too soon to tell (for Bournemouth).”
The expected return date is unknown.
groin – Javier Manquillo
The Spanish defender has yet to make a first-team appearance this season, with only unused substitute roles in the Carabao Cup win over Manchester City and the Premier League draw at West Ham United.
The expected return date is unknown.
Thigh – Matt Targett
United’s defensive injury crisis worsened when left-back Targett was injured in the first five minutes of last week’s Carabao Cup victory over Manchester United. The former Aston Villa player has had surgery and will be out until the new year.
Targett took to Instagram to provide an update on his injury, confirming that he had surgery earlier this week and expressing his determination to return ‘better than ever’.
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around the injury,” he wrote. I felt great going into the United game!! Strange injury to occur in the first few minutes of the game! Yesterday’s surgery went well, so I’m on the mend. “I’m determined to return stronger than ever.”
The expected return date is unknown.
Bruno Guimaraes has been suspended.
The Brazil midfielder was shown his fifth yellow card in the Premier League this season during Saturday’s win over Arsenal, and he will miss Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth as part of a one-match suspension.
The expected return date is November 25th.
Suspended Sandro Tonali
Tonali is currently serving a ten-month suspension for violating Italian betting regulations while playing for former club AC Milan.
The anticipated return date is August 2024.
