Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe and Newcastle United will be looking to build on their Carabao Cup triumph and secure a Champions League berth ahead of next season.
In doing so, the Magpies would be handed a major boost in terms of Financial Fair Play and PSR in what could be a revolutionary summer transfer window.
However, there are ten games between now and the end of the season and 30 points available to the Toon in their race for Champions League football. As things stand, finishing in the top-five looks set to be enough to secure a return to Europe's elite competition.
Newcastle will be without Lewis Hall for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury. Speaking prior to the Carabao Cup win over Liverpool, Hall took to Instagram to update supporters on his injury.
"Still absolutely devastated to not be out there with the lads at such a crucial part of the season," he said. "Surgery was a success and now time to rest. recover and support the boys. Thank you for all the messages over the past week, can't wait to be back our there ready for next season."
The player closest to a return for the Magpies' end of season run in, is Jamaal Lascelles, who has not played for the club in over a year after sustaining an ACL injury. Although he's fallen down the pecking order in terms of playing time, the 31-year-old remains and important figure behind the scenes, demonstrated Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier calling him up to lift the Carabao Cup trophy at Wembley.
"He is making good progress," Howe said earlier this month. "He is back out on the grass but not training with the team yet. I would say he is really happy currently - he is super lean and super fit. He is now entering the last stage of his recovery, and hopefully we will see him soon."
Although there is still no official date set for his return, his presence behind the scenes will play a major role in any success the Toon have between now and the end of the season.
Another welcome boost in the weeks to come, will be the return of Sven Botman with his injury not as bad as first feared. The Dutch centre-back has been a mainstay since his arrival from Lille, and Howe said: "He was actually very close for Brighton, just the day before in training, 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."
Early May looks to be the most realistic time for Botman to return, though the Magpies boss will no doubt provide an update on his recovery during the Premier League run in.
Anthony Gordon limps off for England (Image: Getty Images)
Anthony Gordon remains a doubt for Newcastle in the weeks to come, having injured his hip on international duty with England. The winger still has to serve one more game of his suspension, which will be the clash with Brentford on Wednesday night.
It remains to be seen how severe his injury is, with new England boss Thomas Tuchel clarifying the situation prior to the Three Lions' win over Latvia. "It’s just a matter of pain," the German head coach said. "He has a huge bruise around the hip region, and it was so painful he couldn’t even walk properly. He needs some time to heal and to get better. That’s why he left camp."
Howe will be hoping the injury is not too severe and Gordon can be part of the Magpies' squad for the trip to Leicester City on Monday, April 7. With all three returning from injury before the end of the season, Newcastle's squad will be in a much stronger position without spending a single penny.