Newcastle United's bench on Saturday contained a surprise given the U21s game the night before
Sean Neave and Sam Alabi were unused substitutes against Bournemouth(Image: )
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Newcastle United's team selection concerns continue to get real as the injury crisis surrounding the side mounts after Saturday's arduous FA Cup win over Bournemouth.
The Magpies prevailed after a pulsating 120 minutes of cup action, but only after penalties following a 3-3 draw against the Cherries at St James' Park.
Playing extra time was second only to defeat as the worst possible outcome for Eddie Howe. The Magpies manager had looked to give a number of key players a rest after their exertions just a couple of days earlier against Leeds United in the Premier League where they played almost 105 minutes on a chaotic evening.
Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Lewis Miley, Lewis Hall and Anthony Gordon were all rested against Bournemouth, taking their place on the bench alongside goalkeeper Nick Pope - another who was given a breather. The rest of the substitutes roster was made up with youngsters Alex Murphy, Sean Neave and Sam Alabi.
Howe wouldn't have wanted to turn to several of his key men with the huge Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City looming on Tuesday night. In a month which will see Newcastle play a whopping nine times, protecting players is of paramount importance.
However, as injuries started to bite and with Newcastle trailing in the second period, Howe felt he had no option but to gamble from the bench. The five senior outfield players were all thrust into the action, and with the game going to extra time they all ended up playing a minimum of 45 minutes.
Afterwards, Howe admitted it was a 'risk' but one he felt he had no other option but to take.
With Emil Krafth, Dan Burn, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy all injured and unavailable for the game, the final places on the bench were filled by three youngsters in Alex Murphy, Neave and Alabi, but none of the trio looked likely to be called upon except for when Malick Thiaw went down with a head injury and Murphy was sent out to warm up.
The threadbare nature of Newcastle's squad was perfectly highlighted by the presence of Alabi. The teenager played for the Under-21s just 15 hours before he was asked to report for first-team duty.
Alabi is highly-rated by the Academy staff and Eddie Howe, who has regularly included the youngster in his first-team training sessions. To call on the 16-year-old just a matter of hours after he played in an U21s game, however, demonstrates the problem facing the Newcastle manager this month.
Howe is having to use players who either aren't ready or who need more time. Tino Livramento was pushed back into action after a lengthy absence but broke down with his third setback of what is becoming an injury-ravaged season. Kieran Trippier looked miles off the pace against Bournemouth while Sven Botman is desperately trying to shake off the ring-rust himself.
Newcastle's centre-half problems mean Botman will have to go again on Tuesday night against Erling Haaland & Co. Another gruelling game so soon after 120 minutes for a player returning from his own long spell on the sidelines is a gamble, but there are zero other options.
Other players will be monitored to see if their physical output is nearing 'the red zone' with the likes of Thiaw (435 minutes), Miley (411), Guimaraes (400), Lewis Hall (391), Anthony Gordon (364), Sandro Tonali (350) and Harvey Barnes (322) having played a lot of minutes since Christmas.
A few hours before the City clash on Tuesday, Newcastle's Under-21s take on Benfica in the Premier League International Cup. Hopefully none of the players featuring in the 1pm kick-off will be hot-footing it to St James' Park to help out.
At least two of Alabi, Neave and Alex Murphy look set to be bench fillers again for the Carabao Cup although they are unlikely to see any action with Howe making clear he will turn to senior men instead.