Eddie Howe's squad could look very different following their enforced three-week break
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali (R)
Newcastle United midfielders Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali should be fit to return to action next month(Image: JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images)
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If Newcastle United are to stand any chance of playing in a European competition next season, then they must return from their forthcoming three-week break refreshed the refocused.
For all the understandable ire following the derby defeat to Sunderland, a place in the top seven is still very much up for grabs should the Magpies show the form we know they are capable of on a consistent basis.
Things have to change, but head coach Eddie Howe should have a stronger squad available to him when United return to action against Crystal Palace on April 12.
It's not the only change that will come after the international break and FA Cup weekend that Newcastle have to take advantage of if they are to keep their European hopes alive.
New old-look midfield
Newcastle were always going to struggle without Bruno Guimaraes and, to their credit, the performances against Man United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and the Barcelona home leg were encouraging in that they came without their captain.
Add Sandro Tonali to the absentee list and it's a step too far. Yes, they won at Chelsea without the pair, but any side shorn of their best two midfielders is likely to struggle. The fact Lewis Miley has been unavailable as an alternative only made the problem worse, particularly given his excellent form this season.
All three should be back fit for the run-in, a factor which cannot be underestimated.
Defensive shake-up
Newcastle will hopefully welcome back Fabian Schar to the squad following the international break. Malick Thiaw's form has compensated for Schar's absence with an ankle injury, but the sheer number of games, and injuries to Sven Botman, has meant that he and Dan Burn have had to shoulder much of the responsibility.
Botman's facial fracture in the derby means he is set for another period on the sidelines - just as Newcastle were hoping to be back up to four fit centre-halves again - but Schar's return will add an extra dimension to their play.
Tino Livramento needs to step up after some below-par cameos since his return, but Newcastle will finally have numbers available at the back, while should go along way to eradicate the sloppy errors through fatigue.
One game per-week
Discounting international breaks, Newcastle have not had a free midweek since September. The closest they have come was the six-day break between the home draw with Chelsea in December and the Boxing Day game at Manchester United.
Is it any wonder this squad is desperate for a break? Howe has been reluctant to use it as an excuse, after all everyone wants to progress to the latter stages of cup competitions and the Champions League, but it's a legitimate reason as why performances levels have fluctuated.
From now on, it's one game per week and only one focus. That has to be an advantage.
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