Kieran Trippier stretches during the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium
Newcastle United's battered and bruised heroes have two weeks to get themselves fit before they return to action for the black and whites. Newcastle's next fixture isn't until April 2 when they host Brentford at St James' Park.
A number of the Carabao Cup-winning squad have taken off on international duty, including England trio Dan Burn, Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon, plus Brazilian boys Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. Alexander Isak is away with Sweden and Sandro Tonali with Italy, while Emil Krafth and Martin Dubravka also received call-ups.
The rest of the squad have flown to Dubai for a training camp. There, manager Eddie Howe will put the players through their paces while also allowing what is a threadbare squad time to recuperate after their Wembley exertions.
A number of players suffered knocks and fatigue in the second half of the energy-sapping performance. The United medical staff will keep a close eye on the squad, while a number of players remain sidelined for a longer period of time. Here, we look at the main concerns and return dates.
Kieran Trippier
The veteran full-back rolled back the years with a stunning defensive performance at Wembley. Up against Luis Diaz in the first half, he rattled into challenges and showed composure with three headers back to Nick Pope.
The 34-year-old, however, gave Newcastle fans a scare in the first period when he appeared to pull up holding his right hamstring on 38 minutes. He spoke to the United bench, received some deep heat and was seen stretching several times, but played on and got through the full 100 minutes to suggest it wasn't a major problem.
No doubt he will be assessed by the medical staff during the warm weather break in Dubai.
Jacob Murphy
Another player who gave everything for the cause during the game. The winger ran himself into the ground and was replaced in the latter stages of the game by Emil Krafth, having been hobbling around the Wembley turf for several minutes.
It looked like a dose of cramp for a player who had worked tirelessly up and down the pitch.
Sven Botman
Botman was ruled out of the cup final a week beforehand, after suffering a fresh knee injury. The Dutch defender has had an issue with fluid on his opposite knee to the one he had an ACL operation on last year, but it was enough to see him go under the knife.
Eddie Howe said: "He felt the same problem in his knee. So, looks like he'll now have to have a small op just to clear out some fluid. We hope he should be back in about eight weeks."
That will take the centre-half through to probably the second week in May, meaning he faces a race against time to play in Newcastle's last two or three games of the season.
Lewis Hall
The left-back was devastated to be ruled out for the rest of the season with a foot and ankle injury. Hall had been one of Newcastle's best performers this season and won his first England caps off the back of his form.
Unlike the other injured players in United's squad, Hall was not part of the party that travelled down to London at the weekend. Instead he remained at home as part of his rehabilitation after his operation. Posting a message a few days before the final, he said: "Surgery was a success, and now it's time to rest, recover and support the boys."
However, Hall's Newcastle team-mates ensured he did not miss out, FaceTiming the defender from inside the United dressing room at full-time. Jamaal Lascelles was the man responsible for taking the youngster on a guided tour of the post-match festivities through his phone screen, with Jacob Murphy sharing an image of the gesture on his social media.
Jamaal Lascelles
The defender is continuing his return from an ACL injury of his own. He has been sidelined since March 2024 as the Magpies beat West Ham United 4-3 at St James' Park.
Lascelles has been in and around the club's training base for months - and is now officially back on the grass - but, with just over two months left of the season, is still not training with the first-team just yet. A date of May has been pencilled in for his return.
"I definitely feel like I’m getting on the right track in my recovery from an ACL injury," Lascelles said. "I’ve had a couple of little setbacks - nothing to do with the knee, just low-level muscle injuries which can happen when you spend such a long period of time away from the grass and your body adapts to the increasing load."
The United club captain was invited up to lift the Carabao Cup by fellow skippers Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier in a touching moment at Wembley.
Newcastle United Carabao Cup WINNERS 2024/25
At last, Newcastle have their hands on silverware!
After an agonising 56-year wait, the Magpies' amazing army of fans can celebrate watching their side lift a trophy after their Carabao Cup final win. And to celebrate, the Newcastle Chronicle have produced this souvenir special, marking the Wembley triumph.
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It is packed full of reaction, analysis and quotes as well as amazing pictures from the day, and a centre-spread poster.
It is the perfect souvenir of an historic day for Newcastle.
Buy now and have it delivered directly to your door. Alternatively you can purchase in most supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents in the North East from March 20, 2025.