Newcastle United FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Newcastle can move above Arsenal if they beat the Gunners for a fourth time this season (Picture: Getty)
Eddie Howe confirmed Newcastle are likely to be without three key players for Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Arsenal.
The Magpies are closing in on securing Champions League qualification following last weekend’s win over Chelsea.
Such has been their form during the course of the run-in that a fourth win this season against the Gunners would see them climb into second place.
Newcastle won both legs of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Mikel Arteta’s men earlier this year and also won the reverse league fixture at St James’ Park thanks to Alexander Isak’s emphatic header.
If Howe’s men are to make it a clean sweep against Arsenal, they will likely have to do so without Kieran Trippier and Sven Botman.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
‘Kieran [Trippier] I don’t think will be fit for this weekend but again it’s not a big injury, a very minor calf problem,’ said Howe, when asked about the full-back’s chances of featuring.
Botman, meanwhile, has only made eight appearances this season but had returned to the starting line-up in recent weeks before he limped off against Chelsea a week ago.
Will Kieran Trippier play against Arsenal?
Newcastle United FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League
Kieran Trippier is an injury doubt for Newcastle (Picture: Getty)
‘It was a knock, he got a bang on his knee,’ said Howe. ‘We’re not sure about Sven’s availability for the weekend but we’ll give him a chance to be fit.
‘We don’t think it’s a serious injury. He’s been unlucky. You’re going to get knocks and bruises in his position and this is a similar thing, he’s been really unlucky on the last two occasions.’
Howe also cautioned that influential midfielder Joelinton, who has missed the last month, is unlikely to return this season.
He said: ‘He’s working away behind the scenes. Typical Joe he’s absolutely foot to the floor trying to get fit because he wants to be involved.
Will Joelinton play again this season?
Aston Villa FC v Newcastle United FC - Premier League
Joelinton has been out injured for the last month (Picture: Getty)
‘The biggest possibility is that we don’t see him again this season and we’ll get him ready for next year.’
On the difficulty of navigating a tough season with a small squad, Howe added: ‘I think January [transfer window] played a part in that, we lost two players from the squad.
‘I think we have done really well this season to manage a small squad. Our injury record this season has been very good, in part due to having less games. We have managed to keep the majority of the players fit.
‘You are always going to get one or two. But I think we are in the position with our squad, you get a run of injuries and it can look thin very quickly. Fingers crossed we can maintain our strength until the end of the season.’
MORE: Chelsea and Arsenal target move for £30million Brighton star
MORE: Chelsea vs Man Utd: Confirmed team news, predicted lineups and kick-off time
MORE: Liverpool open talks to sign £52m Chelsea flop ahead of Newcastle