Eddie Howe faces more Newcastle United injury issues as he looks to navigate a busy February
Newcastle United's Lewis Miley celebrates his late winner against Fulham with Bruno Guimaraes
Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Miley remain injury concerns(Image: Getty Images)
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No sooner had Newcastle United's injury situation looked to be easing, than Eddie Howe is faced with mounting issues in the club's treatment room.
It's been a testing time for the Magpies' head coach, and with players picking up knocks throughout a gruelling schedule. United went to Liverpool without two first-choice midfielders in Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton last weekend, while Lewis Miley was unable to take part.
Add to that three first-team defenders ruled out, in Tino Livramento, Sven Botman and Fabian Schar, and it's tough picture for Newcastle.
February will be no less demanding, with eight games crammed into 24 days between Wednesday night's Carabao Cup tie at Manchester City and the Premier League home game with Everton on the final day of the month.
Here's the latest injury situation and when United's wounded stars could return.
Bruno Guimaraes
Injury: Ankle
After featuring on the bench against PSG, Bruno did not travel to Anfield, after receiving a blow on the ankle in the Champions League win over PSV. However, the club have stressed he has had not had a setback and could return very soon.
What Howe has said: "Slightly unknown. He did really well to be with us in Paris. That was more down to the fact he was desperate to be there and support the players. We did very light training and he participated in that but it was next to nothing."
Potential return date: Man City (A) or Brentford (H)
Sven Botman
Injury: Thigh
The centre-back has enjoyed a run in the team, but although he was on the bench at Liverpool, Howe later revealed he was not able to send him on due to a thigh problem.
What Howe has said: "Sven had a tight thigh and we were under the advice not to use him."
Potential return date: Man City (A) or Brentford (H)
Lewis Miley
Injury: Knee
After impressing both in midfield and at right-back in recent months, there were eyebrows raised when Miley was not introduced at Anfield, but Howe later explained he had a problem with his knee.
What Howe has said: "With Lewis he could not bend his knee to declare himself fit."
Potential return date: Man City (A) or Brentford (H)
Joelinton
Injury: Groin
The Brazilian will be missing for several weeks after pulling up with a groin injury in the 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa. It is not thought to be serious and Joelinton should be back in contention in a matter of weeks.
What Howe has said: "He flew to Barcelona after the game to get injection into his groin. It was good news. The specialist feels he only needs one. That means his return could be quite quick. We're looking at weeks, not months."
Potential return date: Late February
Tino Livramento
Injury: Hamstring
The England defender is on the comeback trail after a hamstring issue in early January.. He will probably miss the whole of February but should be back in early March.
What Howe has said: ""He's doing well. I believe he's having a second scan today to see the progress. Fingers crossed it's good news. If it is fingers crossed he'll be back running outside. I think we're still probably five to six weeks today. We're looking at an early March return providing everything goes well."
Potential return date: March
Fabian Schar
Injury: Ankle
Newcastle's Swiss defender will miss the majority of the rest of the season after damanging ankle ligaments against Leeds United last month - but will be able to return in late April.
What Howe has said: "He had a successful surgery yesterday which is great news. Everything went according to plan. It’s difficult to give a definitive but I think around three months out will be the diagnosis we’ll work towards. If it’s any quicker then great, but we need to give Fabian time to recover.”
Potential return date: Late April
Emil Krafth
Injury: Knee
The Swedish defender has still not returned to the squad after injurying his knee on international duty, with no recent update on a potential comeback.
What Howe has said: "He's a big miss for us. There's no major update. He's trying to come back from a knee problem. He's not feeling absolutely at his best currently. Day to day it feels slightly different, so I have no definitive return date."
Potential return date: Unknown
Jamaal Lascelles
Injury: Muscle
Lascelles could leave the club in the final day of the transfer window, with interest from Championship sides, but has not featured in a matchday squad since November.
What Howe has said: "He is not training with us currently. He hasn't felt well enough physically to train. I don't necessarily think that he's injured, in the sense that he's got one big injury; I just think his body is not feeling great. We hope that will change in the next weeks."
Potential return date: Unknown