Newcastle United were rocked by recent injury updates regarding key players.
With the Carabao Cup final on the way, Eddie Howe is eager to have the strongest squad available to him. Unfortunately, that won’t be the case as it has been confirmed that Newcastle United are without three important first-team players for their trip to Wembley.
With Anthony Gordon suspended and defensive duo Lewis Hall and Sven Botman injured, the Magpies will now have to use players who perhaps weren’t in with a shout of starting a few weeks ago.
The likes of Matt Targett and Harvey Barnes will be in contention for starts in the final, but Howe could also decide to make a complete tactical change and play someone like Joelinton on the left wing.
Howe confirmed Newcastle didn’t appeal Gordon’s red card because they didn’t feel as if there weren’t sufficient grounds for it to be overturned. Gordon spoke to his teammates after the incident, only a “couple of words” according to Howe but it’s clear that the damage has been done.
Despite the sending-off, Gordon was still spotted in Newcastle training and looked focused on returning to the first-team squad in April.
With Newcastle fans still processing the news that their best players will be missing for the final, Howe provided some positive injury news regarding one star who hasn’t been seen for around a year.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Eddie Howe provides Jamaal Lascelles injury update
Defender and former captain Jamaal Lascelles has been missing from Newcastle’s first-team squad for almost a year after sustaining an ACL injury in the Magpies dramatic 4-3 win against West Ham United in March 2024.
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There was hope that Lascelles was due to return in March after being spotted in the gym in a round of training ground photos. However, the 31-year-old’s recovery is proving trickier than expected with Howe suggesting Lascelles may not return for Newcastle this season.
In his pre-match conference ahead of Monday’s trip to West Ham, Howe was asked for an update on Lascelles.
“(Jamaal Lascelles is) Making good progress,” he said.
“Back out on the grass. Not training with the team yet but I’d say he’ll be really happy currently with where he’s at. Super lean, super fit.
“He’s now entering the last phase of his recovery and hopefully we’ll see him soon.”
Jamaal Lascelles time at Newcastle United is almost up
Fans will be hoping to see Lascelles before the end of the season and while Howe’s comments are positive, there is a chance they will never get to see him play for the club again.
Lascelles’ contract is up at the end of the season and his injury means he has not had the opportunity to prove to Howe that he deserves a new deal.
Newcastle handed Martin Dubravka and Emil Krafth new deals in February, so it’s clear that Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell are starting to make their mind up over who they would like to keep for at least another season.
Newcastle will look to sign a centre-back in the summer, meaning Lascelles’ will be pushed further down the pecking order. Fans will be sad to see their most longstanding player leave the club – Lascelles has made 251 appearances in all competitions since signing in 2014.
Other Newcastle players earning the end of their contracts include Callum Wilson and Fabian Schar as well as goalkeeping duo Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy.