Three successive Premier League defeats has ensured that there is still work to be done for Newcastle United in their bid to avoid the drop this season, despite still sitting seven points above the drop zone.
Eddie Howe is going to need as many players as possible to be fit and available over the next eight games, which is why the return of forgotten duo Matt Ritchie and Federico Fernandez from injury will be most welcomed.
And despite having a fairly settled starting lineup since five new signings arrived in the January transfer window, Howe insists that the pair will still have an important role to play until the end of the season.
