Eddie Howe is keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
The Newcastle United manager has a few selection dilemmas to ponder, with the biggest coming on the left of attack.
The Magpies have lost their entire left-hand side in recent weeks. Anthony Gordon is suspended, while Lewis Hall is injured and will miss the rest of the season.
Tino Livramento will replace Hall at left-back, but it remains to be seen who will play in front of him.
There are a few contenders. The obvious choice is Harvey Barnes, while Eddie Howe could also opt to deploy Joelinton or Joe Willock out wide.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Eddie Howe addresses Harvey Barnes’ Carabao Cup final ‘opportunity’
While Harvey Barnes features in Geordie Boot Boys’predicted Newcastle XI to face Liverpool, Howe has refused to confirm whether or not the £39million winger will start at Wembley.
However, Howe was very complimentary towards Barnes ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
“It’s a great opportunity, potentially, for Harvey,” he said.
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“He did really well against West Ham. That’s not an easy game for him to come in. I was really pleased with his cross for the goal. It was an outstanding piece of technical delivery, floated the ball in and Bruno supplied the finishing touch.
“He’s done that consistently when he’s played for us. He’s very much a producer of big moments – goals and assists – which you want all your attacking players to have the capability of delivering. He’s got that X-factor.
“He’s been competing with a very good player for the same position, although we have used Harvey off the right quite a lot when he’s been fit.
“I’m hopeful, if selected, Harvey will give a good performance.”
Harvey Barnes’ first major final at Wembley
For the first time in his career, Barnes could feature in a major final at Wembley.
While he was a Leicester City player in 2021 when they lifted the FA Cup, he missed the final against Chelsea at Wembley due to injury.
The last time Newcastle United were at Wembley was February 2023, a few months before Barnes made the move to Tyneside from Leicester.
His Toon career has been up and down, with injuries and competition with Anthony Gordon limiting his opportunities. Barnes has called this season ‘difficult’, but his fortunes could change on Sunday.
The 27-year-old has put himself in an excellent position to start for Newcastle United, and it will be interesting to see if Howe gives him that opportunity.
Newcastle will need a moment of magic to win the final, and Barnes is a player who is certainly capable of exactly that.