Newcastle United could be without five first-team players for the clash against West Ham. A growing treatment table is ominous for the Magpies, with the second half of the campaign well under way.
Fixture congestion due to the World Cup means Toon chiefs have played a dangerous game by not signing more reinforcements last month. While Anthony Gordon’s exit is welcome, Jonjo Shelvey, Chris Wood and Karl Darlow leaving the club makes United a few casualties away from a crisis.
While focus has centred around the Carabao Cup heroics in recent days, Newcastle are still fighting for a Champions League spot. ChronicleLive has profiled when each absentee is expected to return ahead of the West Ham test.
READ MORE: Newcastle bid another emotional farewell in 'really nice moment' away from television cameras
Bruno Guimaraes - Suspended
The Brazilian is expected to miss the next three Premier League games against the Hammers, Bournemouth and Liverpool following his straight red card in midweek. Referee Paul Tierney originally gave a yellow but overturned his decision after a VAR consultation.
Don’t worry, Newcastle fans, he is set to return for the Carabao Cup final on February 26.
Alexander Isak - Concussion (doubt)
Isak was withdrawn despite coming on from the bench against Southampton after eating a James Ward-Prowse free-kick late on. Howe has remained coy on whether the Swede will be available for selection.
"We've followed all the protocols but whether he'll be available, I'm not sure,” he said. “James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick, naturally we discussed those situations a lot in the build-up to both games and knowing how good he is.
“(Isak) blocked the free-kick and took a blow to the side of the head. He’s been around (training) and looked fine. I don’t know if he had any ill effects, or any ill effects the next day. Every day he’s felt better, so he’s fine."
Matt Targett - Foot
Targett has endured a frustrating season since his permanent switch from Aston Villa. Despite being a stalwart in the second half of 2021-22, Dan Burn has converted to a left-back this year - forcing Targett out of the team.
Howe confirmed the 27-year-old had suffered a heel injury ahead of the New Year’s Eve clash with Leeds United. He said: “Matt has a heel problem. He’s been managing it for a couple of months, but it’s got to the point where it’s too painful for him to carry on.
“When I say a couple of months, I’m including the break in that as well. It’s disappointing. I think he’s going to be out for a period of time, although I’m not 100 per cent about just how long it’ll be at the moment. But it’s a nasty injury.”
Javier Manquillo
Manquillo, another player who has found game time difficult to come by this season, is also ruled out. Howe revealed the Spaniard picked up an injury in training while discussing Harrison Ashby’s move to Tyneside.
“Javier Manquillo picked up an injury in training so he’ll be missing for three to four weeks,” he said. “So it’s an area we were light in, in numbers, so bringing Harrison in, for good value in the market for current prices, was a good deal all round for us.”
Emil Krafth
Krafth’s entire campaign has been decimated by an ACL injury suffered in the Carabao Cup first round against Tranmere Rovers. Howe confirmed at the time: “It's an ACL injury. He's not been operated on yet, so it's difficult to give a firm date, but it's going to be six to nine months. A long time out, which is a huge blow to us.”
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