Newcastle United injuries: Jacob Murphy was forced off with a hamstring problem in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat against Manchester City.
The match was level at 0-0 when Murphy pulled up with a hamstring issue just before half-time and was forced off to be replaced by Harvey Barnes. The second half saw Man City take advantage with goals at either end of the half from Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki to take a 2-0 lead back to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg next month.
Murphy had returned straight to the starting line-up after being rested for the FA Cup win over AFC Bournemouth on Saturday at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe explained that the 30-year-old was left out against Bournemouth as a precaution after suffering from a hamstring issue that forced him off against Crystal Palace earlier this month.
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Jacob Murphy injury uncertainty
But Murphy was passed fit to start against City three days later, only to succumb to the hamstring problem once again.
Although not thought to be a serious issue, Howe confirmed the club are trying to get to the bottom of it.
“We don’t think Jacob’s injury is serious,” he said after the defeat to Man City. “But of course we’re waiting to see the full extent.
“He’s had a hamstring problem for a couple of weeks. He’s had two scans that have come back clear so we’re not quite sure what’s going on with him.”
Newcastle United star ruled out for eight weeks
While it’s unclear how long Murphy will be out for as he awaits further assessment, Newcastle have now an idea how long they will be without Tino Livrmento after receiving his scan results on Tuesday morning.
Livramento suffered a hamstring injury against Bournemouth and was forced off before having the injury scanned on Monday. It is understood the right-back will be facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines.
The injury, and Newcastle’s lack of defensive options in general, could see the club dip into the transfer market to bolster their back line.
“Tino’s information we only got confirmation this morning so we need to digest that and then see what we do,” Howe admitted.
Livramento’s versatility to play at both right-back and left-back has made him a real asset to the side over the past couple of seasons. So his absence comes as a real blow to Howe’s side as he is set to miss a crucial run of fixtures which includes two trips to Manchester City, another to Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, home and away games against Aston Villa in the FA Cup and Premier League and a league trip to Tottenham Hotspur, among others.
Newcastle United injury list
In addition to Livramento and Murphy, Newcastle are without Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles and William Osula.
Schar is set for a scan on his ankle injury on Wednesday, while it is hoped Burn will be back in contention soon. Krafth and Osula could still be a few weeks away and Lascelles is currently not training with the first team with the potential of leaving the club this January transfer window.
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