Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Newcastle United have released training pics some teaser training pics to their social media - and there’s one obvious outlier in the shots.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe is facing up to the reality of not having three key men for his side’s Premier League run-in - and the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool next week.
This week, as revealed by NewcastleWorld, Sven Botman has been ruled out of the Carabao Cup final. It comes as a major blow for Howe and the player, who has missed huge chunks of the last 12 months due to various knee problems.
And, as confirmed by NUFC 24 hours ago, fellow defender Lewis Hall will miss the rest of the season, having broken his foot in the clash with Liverpool late last month.
That follows on from the self-inflicted absence of Anthony Gordon being confirmed. This week Newcastle refused to appeal his straight red card from the FA Cup fifth round defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday at St James’ Park. Gordon was dismissed for a push in the second half, and will not serve a three-game ban, with the incident deemed by the referee and officials as violent conduct.
The absence of Botman and Hall, as well as long-term absentee Jamaal Lascelles, has left a significant hole in the Magpies’ defensive unit, particularly when it comes to training.
And, as he so often has in the past, Howe has turned to the under-21s for players to fill key roles in drills, games and general training at the club’s Benton base.
Who has Eddie Howe called up to cover for Lewis Hall?
While Matt Targett is the most natural player to fill in for Hall in the first-team, Howe is likely to go with Tino Livramento on the left while the England international recovers from surgery. Dan Burn, at a push, could also step in to play there, if needed. Although, despite playing a full season in that role while the Magpies were in the Champions League, Burn is very much a fixture at the heart of the Newcastle defence this season. And with Botman also out, Newcastle too find themselves light in that department.
To make up for the loss of numbers, Howe has called in defenders Cathal Heffernan and Leo Shahar in the past.
And it appears as if Howe has retained Shahar, at least, in training this week, ahead of the club’s return to Premier League action against West Ham United on Sunday.
The Hammers clash is the last game before the Magpies go to battle at Wembley, with a first domestic trophy in 70 years on the line.
Who is Leo Shahar?
Shahar has been pulled out of action for the 21s in recent weeks, and seems to be spending his time primarily with the first-team group.
The 17-year-old is an England youth international, and has impressed with his progressive performances on the right-hand side for the kids, drawing some comparisons to Kieran Trippier by regular watchers.
In other news, Newcastle United can sign £66m striker for just £25m this summer - PIF expressed interest.