United will face Everton this weekend with Eddie Howe hoping for some positive injury updates
Newcastle United's Lewis Miley celebrates his goal against Everton with Tino Livramento
Newcastle's Lewis Miley celebrates his goal against Everton with Tino Livramento(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
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Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe welcomed two players back into his squad this week, but it remains to be seen whether he can add any more faces to the group for Saturday's Premier League match with Everton.
Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa made returns in the 3-2 Champions League win over Qarabag, with Dutch defender Botman starting the game and Wissa coming on as a second-half substitute.
United will still be without several first-team players when David Moyes' Toffees come to St James' Park this weekend, although there are a few now closing in on a comeback.
With Manchester United on Tyneside on Wednesday night, and then the FA Cup fifth-round tie with Manchester City to come next Saturday, it remains a busy time for Newcastle.
Here is the latest injury situation and when key names could be back in the frame.
Bruno Guimaraes
Injury: Hamstring
The Brazilian is facing his first lengthy spell on the sidelines since he joined Newcastle, and has spent time in Brazil recovering from a hamstring injury. Bruno is confident he can make a speedy recovery, but is not expected to be back before April.
What Howe has said: "We're probably looking at the end of the international break in March for his return. It's a massive blow for us at a key stage of the season. He's devastated. But it is what it is - we can't do anything about it."
Expected return: Early April
Jacob Ramsey
Injury: Hamstring
Ramsey was left out of the squad to face Qarabag on Tuesday night after a slight issue with his hamstring, although United do not expect it to keep him out for any length of time.
What Howe has said: "He just felt his hamstring, and was aware of a tightness in his hamstring. He had a scan, and it came back all clear. So we’re hopeful there’ll be a quick improvement, and he’ll be back involved, hopefully for our next game. But let’s wait and see."
Expected return: Everton (H) or Man United (H)
Lewis Miley
Injury: Thigh
It's been a frustrating few weeks for United midfielder Miley, who has seen a dead leg become a thigh problem which has kept him out of recent games. He won't be rushed back, but is expected to return to the squad in the very near future.
What Howe has said: "Lewis still has a little bit to go. Without going into too much medical stuff, which is beyond me, it was a dead leg, but it disturbed a bit of the muscle. I don’t think he’s too far away, nothing more than a week or a couple of weeks maximum, but we’ve been told that we’ve got to be careful with it."
Expected return: Early March
Tino Livramento
Injury: Hamstring
The England defender is on course to return next month after a hamstring injury in January meant two months on the sidelines. Livramento is training on the grass again and should be back in the coming weeks - with a chance that he could feature in the Champions League last-16 ties.
What Howe has said: "He's making good progress, but I don't think we're going to shave too much time off the early March target for him."
Expected return: March
Fabian Schar
Injury: Words
Schar underwent surgery on his ankle in January after falling awkwardly in the Premier League win over Leeds United. The Swiss defender is expected to return before the season ends.
What Howe has said: "I think it's difficult to give a definitive [timeline], but around three months out will be the diagnosis we'll work towards. If it's any quicker, then great, but we need to give Fabian time to recover."
Expected return: Late April
Emil Krafth
Injury: Knee
The Swedish defender is not expected to play again this season after damaging his knee on international duty in November. Krafth's versatility has been a miss as United struggled with injuries across their back line.
What Howe has said: "Emil has had an operation on his knee so in all likelihood it looks like his season is over which is a blow for us. He first suffered the problem on international duty and we hoped he could come back and be OK. It was clear in training he wasn't going to get to the level needed and there needed to be a surgical intervention."
Expected return: Unknown
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