There are multiple reasons why Newcastle United have not been good enough this season.
The first is the striker situation. Newcastle United started the season with Alexander Isak on strike, while after 11 Premier League games Yoane Wissa is still not fit enough to make his Toon debut.
Goals are proving to be a major issue, while the effort and application has been extremely questionable on the road.
That was evident on Sunday in Newcastle United’s worrying defeat to Brentford, as they dropped to 14th in the Premier League table.
Eddie Howe needs to turn around the Magpies’ fortunes after the international break, and there are two players who the club believe can help him do exactly that.
Lewis Hall embraces Tino Livramento after Newcastle United's win against Wolves.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Newcastle United coaches pinpoint Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall absences
That is according to the Athletic’s Chris Waugh, who has provided details on how the Newcastle United coaching staff feel about the club’s struggles this season.
Waugh has stated that Toon staff believe that the absences of Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall at the same time have contributed towards the side’s poor form as of late.
The former has not played for Newcastle since the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal. Livramento suffered a knee injury that day, with the right-back stretchered off amid fears his season was over.
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That is fortunately not the case, with the hope being that Livramento can return against Manchester City.
As for Lewis Hall, he is back fit after a hamstring problem and appeared off the bench against Athletic Club and Brentford.
Lewis Hall set to return to the Newcastle United starting XI
While the hope is that Livramento is fit to face Man City, there are no guarantees that he will return. And even if he is passed fit, he may only be given a place on the bench after such a concerning knee injury.
In contrast, Hall is poised to return to the Newcastle United starting XI immediately after the international break.
That is because Dan Burn is suspended for the game against Manchester City following his red card on Sunday. He was sent off for two yellow cards during the defeat to Brentford, meaning he will sit out the clash with Pep Guardiola’s side on 22nd November.
That could be a blessing for Eddie Howe, who has no reason not to hand Hall his first Toon start since late September.