Injury problems have derailed Newcastle United’s campaign, but they regained some semblance of normality after decimating ten-man Fulham at St James’ Park over the weekend.
The Magpies bulldozed their way to an emphatic 3-0 victory courtesy of second-half goals from Lewis Miley, Miguel Almiron and Dan Burn.
Last weekend’s triumph helped Eddie Howe’s beleaguered troops snap an alarming three-match losing streak across all competitions, re-establishing them in the top-four picture.
They’ll now switch their focus to the midweek League Cup quarter-final clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where Howe would once again be without several players.
Newcastle’s treatment room admitted two fresh faces after the win over Fulham, with Fabian Schar and Joelinton forced to exit the pitch after picking up first-half knocks.
The pair are scheduled to undergo scans later today, but the Magpies could be offered a reprieve, with Howe insisting their injury problems didn’t pose a great concern at first glance.
The scans will shed more light on the fitness status of the pair, but their recent setback puts their participation in Tuesday’s showdown in major doubt.
Howe could also be without Alexander Isak, who is struggling with a groin problem. The Magpies boss is keen to carefully manage his injury to avoid another long-term spell on the sidelines.
Newcastle were handed a major boost at the weekend as Sven Botman returned to the fold, replacing Burn for a six-minute cameo. He could replace Schar in the line-up in London.
Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock, Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson, Nick Pope, Javier Manquillo and Matt Targett are the other Newcastle stars nursing various injury problems.
However, Howe needs to field a starting XI at Stamford Bridge, and we anticipate he’ll go for a strong line-up in hopes of emulating last season’s run in the competition, which ended in their first major final in 24 years.
Predicted Newcastle line-up:
(4-3-3): Martin Dubravka; Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Kieran Trippier; Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Lewis Miley; Anthony Gordon, Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron.
