Howe was asked whether Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall's injuries could pave the way for an opportunity for Harrison Ashby
Newcastle United Players Lewis Hall (L) and Harrison Ashby (R) during pre-season
Newcastle United Players Lewis Hall (L) and Harrison Ashby (R) during pre-season
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Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe delivered positive updates on the fitness of both Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento in Friday's press conference.
Howe revealed Hall is expected to be back in contention before the November international break after initial fears he could be out for a longer period of time with a hamstring injury.
And while there has been no change in timescale for Livramento's return from a knee injury, Howe is pleased with the progress the England international is making in his rehabilitation.
But they are still out of action in the immediate future meaning Kieran Trippier will likely continue at right-back and Dan Burn will continue at left-back against Brighton, despite centre-half being his favoured position.
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The only other full-back option in Newcastle's matchday squad during the win over Nottingham Forest last time out was Emil Krafth but there is another option registered in the club's 25-man Premier League squad who hasn't even been mentioned as a possible option - Harrison Ashby.
When asked by Chronicle Live whether Ashby could be considered as a possible option in the coming weeks, Howe revealed he is currently out with an injury he has been carrying for a while.
Howe said: "Unfortunately at the moment Harrison is injured and he has been injured for a period of time with a thigh injury so we are waiting for him to be fit again."
The fact it is an injury that hasn't been in the public domain probably says a lot about the 23-year-old's current standing at the club.
Ashby was signed by Newcastle from West Ham United in January 2023 with high hopes and was unveiled on the pitch before their Carabao Cup semi-final win over Southampton at the same time as Anthony Gordon.
But while Gordon has established himself as one of Newcastle's key players, Ashby has struggled to establish himself as a member of Newcastle's first team squad.
Loan spells with Swansea City and QPR have not been enough to convince Newcastle to give him an opportunity in the first team and barring some appearances in pre-season friendlies, he is yet to make his competitive debut for the Magpies.
Time is running out for him to make a breakthrough at St James' Park and this period where Newcastle's full-backs are in short supply would have been an ideal time to give him his opportunity.