Newcastle United injuries: Eddie Howe has shed light on Emil Krafth’s absence after two months out for the defender.
When Kieran Trippier suffered a bad injury shortly after joining Newcastle, Krafth stepped up and impressed at right-back, earning himself the ‘Krafu’ nickname.
The Swedish international’s versatility to play anywhere across the backline would have come in useful for Newcastle, who find themselves depleted and short of options at the back. So short in fact that 19-year-old Lewis Miley has been filling in at right-back and even centre-back in recent matches.
Two-month injury absence for NUFC
Krafth’s knee injury picked up during the November international break, was initially thought to be minor. The 31-year-old even travelled as part of Newcastle’s Champions League squad for the match in Marseille back in November and took part in the pre-match training session at Stade Velodrome the day before the match.
But he was not included in the matchday squad for the Marseille game and hasn’t been seen in action or training since.
Emil Krafth injury update
Given he currently only has four senior defenders available in Lewis Hall, Sven Botman, Malick Thiaw and Trippier, Howe admitted Krafth would have been an ideal player to have available to help ease the load on Newcastle’s defence.
Instead, he is unavailable along with fellow defenders Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles.
“Yes, he would [solve problems],” Howe admitted. “He's a big miss for us at the moment. No, there's no major update.
“He's trying to come back from a knee problem. He's not feeling absolutely at his best currently.
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“Day-to-day he feels slightly different. So, I've got no definitive return date for him. We're taking it day-by-day, hoping that he can improve and we can see him back very quickly.
“He's always been such a reliable performer for us. And as you say, you're quite right, different positions, he gives the versatility that we need.
“So, we're desperate for him back. But we'll just have to wait and see how long that takes.”
Krafth is also one of several Newcastle defenders out of contract in the summer and facing an uncertain future at St James’ Park. Trippier, Schar and Lascelles are also currently on deals that expire in June.
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