The Magpies will need to hold a roll call ahead of the visit of Manchester City in the Carabao Cup
Jacob Murphy and Eddie Howe (Image: )
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Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy was preserved for the Magpies' Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City.
Murphy played no part in the exhausting FA Cup third round tie against AFC Bournemouth in which a host of players were forced through 120 minutes of on-field action plus penalties. But Murphy's energy was restored just days after a hamstring injury suffered in the dramatic victory over Leeds United.
When asked why Murphy was missing against the Cherries, Howe said last night: "It was more precautionary. He's just been feeling a hamstring.
"We think he'll be okay for Tuesday night, but I think it was the right call just to make sure there's no damage."
Howe may have to ask some of his stars to dig deep again on Tuesday night after getting through a long afternoon against Bournemouth. As another injury for Tino Livramento depleted his squad further, Howe was asked if the club are being reactive rather than proactive in the January trading period.
Howe said: "No, I don't think so, I think the club has taken the right stance so far. We'll assess it on a day-by-day basis.
"Obviously, it's the one area we didn't want to lose players – we've lost two in very quick succession – so let's see. We discuss things on a daily basis and try to make the right decisions.
"I think we need enough players to play the games, we need enough cover. Today, unfortunately, we've put a couple of the players at risk just with extra time. Every player on the pitch, then the injury risk goes higher the more you're playing.
"We'd love to have enough bodies to lessen that risk, but at the moment, we don't have the options. We've got to make the right decision and we'll have intense and details discussions to try to make sure we come to the right conclusions."
Murphy's return would be a bonus with the in-form Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon having bore the majority of the workload in wide attacking positions since Christmas. Anthony Elanga has been absent for the last five games since suffering a knee injury. Howe had hoped he would be fit to return by now but the winger has failed late fitness tests before the last two games.
“We keep thinking maybe the next game,” Howe said before Leeds. “But it's just taking a little bit longer in the final stages than we'd hoped. So, I think, yeah, he won't be long.”
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