Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media this morning ahead of tomorrow’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Man City.
As expected, the boss was asked for an update on the fitness front, with Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento adding to our injury woes after both were forced off in home wins against Leeds and Bournemouth last week.
There is “no major update” on Livramento, but he’ll have a scan today to learn the full extent of the damage to his hamstring, which is likely to have a direct impact on our transfer plans.
Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy will train today and have a chance of playing tomorrow, but Dan Burn remains a “couple of weeks” away as he recovers from a lung and rib injury picked up at Sunderland last month.
Emil Krafth is taking it “day by day” in his recovery from a knee issue, with Howe admitting that the versatile Swede is “not feeling at his best” as he looks to come back soon in Newcastle’s hour of need after defensive injuries.
Elsewhere, Fabian Schar’s comeback from an ankle ligament injury will be guided by the feedback from specialists, while striker Will Osula remains out with a niggle ankle issue.
Howe on Livramento
------------------
> _“No major update. He will be having a scan today to understand the extend of the damage on his hamstring._
>
> _“We will wait and see. We need to know the full extent of the injury and other injuries and timescales and that will impact the transfer window.”_
Howe on Elanga, Murphy and Burn
-------------------------------
> _“The two wingers have a possibility (of playing tomorrow). We will see how they get on (in training) today._
>
> _“Dan \[Burn\] will be a couple of weeks further back.”_
Howe on Krafth
--------------
> _“He’s a big miss for us at the moment. He is trying to come back from a knee problem. He is not feeling absolutely at his best currently. Day to day, he feels slightly different._
>
> _“We are taking it day from day and we will see him back quickly. He has always been such a reliable performer for us.”_
>
> “He brings a versatility that we need. We’re desperate for him back, but we’ll have to see how long it takes.”
Howe on fatigue after busy week
-------------------------------
> _“I will have discussions with the medical team and performance team; physical levels and energy levels are of the up most importance for this game. We will have to make decisions based on that._
>
> _“This is a huge challenge, some players have just played 120 minutes and then a few days later are being asked to go again, but I’d like to think, physically and mentally, come kick-off we will be ready to go again.”_