Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
What was that about Newcastle United avoiding the catastrophic injury issues which plagued last season? Things might not been as bad as 12 months ago, but the news that Lewis Hall will miss the rest of the campaign after damaging a bone in his foot was a major blow to Eddie Howe and all at the club.
It comes just days after Anthony Gordon picked up a three-match ban following his red card against Brighton on Sunday, meaning the Magpies will have to negotiate the coming matches - including the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool - without the usual left-side of the team.
Hall's injury is a particularly cruel blow, with the 20-year-old one of the most consistently impressive performers for Newcastle this season so far. He was expected to have been part of Thomas Tuchel's first England squad and although his future remains very bright, Howe must now decide how United's Champions League qualification bid, and their Wembley final, will play out in his absence.
He does at least have several options open to him, some more conventional than others, but Lloyd Kelly's loan move to Juventus has reduced the combinations he could employ. Here are some of the tactics he could use over the coming months.
Team Tino and Trippier
Perhaps the most obvious move would be to stick with the full-back pairing he used against Brighton in the FA Cup last weekend, with Tino Livramento switching to left-back and Kieran Trippier used in his familiar right-back slot. While both are used to the right side, either can play on the left, with Trippier starring for England in EURO24 in the role last summer.
It does mean the lack of a left-footed crossing option, especially as both like to get forward, but it's a low-risk move for Howe, particularly after Livramento impressed against the Seagulls. One note of concern is that both have injury issues, although neither is expected to be serious.
Targett man
It's easy to forget Matt Targett was a key part of the side which avoided relegation in some style in Howe's first season in charge, after joining initially on loan from Aston Villa. He has suffered miserable luck with injuries, but has been a more regular face in the squad in recent weeks, with several appearances as a sub.
He might not have the attacking prowess of Livramento, but he has rarely let anyone down, and offers the extra advantage of a dangerous deliveries from free-kicks and corners. He may not the be the first choice, but don't be surprised to see him used more regularly throughout the run-in.
Get the old gang back together
Rewind the clock two years and Newcastle were about to go on a run which would seal fourth place in the Premier League and a place in the Champions League. Much of that success was built on the rock-solid foundations of a back five which comprised of goalkeeper Nick Pope, Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman . . . and Dan Burn at left-back.
Of course Burn is now two years older, and if pace wasn't his strength in 2023 then it's hard to imagine anything has changed for the better two years later. He has also performed superbly in the heart of the defence, so Howe may be reluctant to switch him back to the flanks. Of course, much depends on Botman's return to fitness - the Dutch defender is said to be close to a return, and it really can't come quickly enough.
Arsenal Version 2.0
Howe sprung a huge surprise by switching to a back five for the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal. I don't mind admitting I was sceptical, but the 2-0 win and classy performance illustrated why he is Newcastle United head coach and I am not.
The difference this time around is that United have Joelinton available. However, in the short-term, Gordon's absence offers an easy solution, with the Brazilian an ideal candidate to play wide left, to allow Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes to occupy the two central midfield slots.
Again, it depends on Botman's availability, although Emil Krafth has played as a third centre-back before and could slot into the side if needed. It worked like a dream against Arsenal and could be the ideal set-up to tackle Liverpool at Wembley, and in the remaining fixtures against the better sides in the run-in.
Whether it would be suitable against, say, Ipswich or Crystal Palace at St James' is debatable, but given they still have to go the Emirates and Villa Park, it's an option Howe should be seriouslty considering.