Newcastle United have been hampered by inconsistency and a number of injuries over the past months, with a top-four spot now firmly out of reach.
However, a European berth is still firmly within their grasp, with the Magpies sitting in seventh place ahead of their home game against rock-bottom Sheffield United this weekend.
As we get closer towards the business end of the season, Eddie Howe will be eager to avoid any further blows to his squad, so with that in mind, Football FanCast is here to keep you updated with the latest injury and suspension news coming out of St James' Park.
Latest Newcastle United injury news
Eddie Howe gave his latest update ahead of the Blades' visit on Saturday. Tino Livramento appears set to feature at St James' Park after being left on the bench against Crystal Palace. Elsewhere, Miguel Almiron looks to be the closest to a first-team comeback, though he has been ruled out for this weekend, with the trip to Burnley a more likely return date.
The manager also hinted that the likes of Kieran Trippier, Joelinton and Nick Pope were all potentially able to return before the end of the campaign.
However, Howe was less positive about Matt Targett, who he expects to miss the remainder of the season, as he joins the likes of Lewis Miley and Joe Willock on the treatment table.
Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman and the suspended Sandro Tonali remain long-term absentees for the Toon.
Miguel Almiron
Knee
April
4th May
Kieran Trippier
Calf
2nd March
May
Joelinton
Thigh
6th January
May
Nick Pope
Dislocated shoulder
2nd December
May
Lewis Miley
Back
International break
Next season
Matt Targett
Achilles
Late March
Next season
Joe Willock
Achilles
April
Next season
Sandro Tonali
Suspended
27th October
27th August 2024
Sven Botman
ACL
16th March
2025
Jamaal Lascelles
ACL
April
2025
Miguel Almiron – knee
Based on Eddie Howe's latest press conference, Miguel Almiron is the closest to returning to the first-team fold after tweaking his knee earlier this month.
According to The Chronicle, Howe indicated that although Almiron is out of the clash with Sheffield United, the Paraguayan will be "there or there about" ahead of Newcastle's trip to Turf Moor next weekend.
Kieran Trippier – calf
Kieran Trippier has been out for a while now, but Howe indicated that a return is not too far away for the defender. He could even be in contention for the squad against former club Burnley, but faces a race against time.
Ahead of this weekend, Howe said: "We hope he’ll be back soon, but not for this game."
Joelinton – thigh
Joelinton could miss the remainder of the current campaign due to a thigh injury, which was picked up during the 3-0 win over bitter rivals Sunderland in the FA Cup. It was confirmed by the club after the midfielder underwent thigh surgery.
Howe was understandably despondent when commenting on it back in January, saying (via The Chronicle): "Massive blow for us. We knew when he did the injury it immediately didn't look good. We didn't know he'd be out as long. He's had a stop-start season. When he is fit and firing, there's no one like him and he brings a different dynamic to our midfield. He's a leader as well. He'll be a big miss."
More recently, he has hinted that a return before the end of the season is possible, with The Chronicle stating that he could return alongside Kieran Trippier in the coming weeks.
Nick Pope – dislocated shoulder
Nick Pope dislocated his shoulder during his side's 1-0 victory against Manchester United in early December, and it was stated that he could miss up to four months, keeping him sidelined until April.
Howe provided an update on Pope's condition soon after when speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle: "He's had a couple of appointments, visited specialists. I am sort of awaiting final news on what is going to happen.
"The operation hasn't happened yet but we are thinking roughly around four months. So it is a big blow to us, but one that we expected after the game. As soon as you see the dislocation, we were fearing the worst."
Pope is not expected to face ex-employers Burnley next week, but he could be between the sticks again before the end of the campaign, having returned to training.
Lewis Miley – back
Lewis Miley picked up a back problem while away with the England Development Squad.
And, it doesn't look like he'll be back before the end of the season, as Eddie Howe said this:
"The decision was made on Lewis to protect him long-term. We won’t see Lewis again this season. Even if there was a chance, we took that away quite early on with his age, we are just thinking about his long-term prospect."
Matt Targett – Achilles
Eddie Howe also revealed recently that Matt Targett's Achilles injury will likely see him sit out the rest of the season.
He told reporters before Newcastle's clash against Sheffield United (via The Chronicle): "We'll not [see him again], I'll say. If we rushed him back and hit the accelerator, he might be back for the last game. But with that in mind, we'd be better off waiting for next summer."
Joe Willock – Achilles
Joe Willock was added to the injury list at Newcastle after lasting only 40 minutes against Fulham in early April.
He's now set to miss the remainder of the current campaign. Here's what Howe had to say:
"We have decided that a period where he strengthens the area around his Achilles will benefit him more. The long-term view was taken, we will get him right for next season. Surgery wouldn’t be beneficial for him in this situation. It is frustrating for Joe, but hopefully we can get to the situation where he is playing freely next season.”
Sven Botman – ACL
Sven Botman picked up an ACL injury while playing against Manchester City in the FA Cup prior to the March international break, and is now set to be out for an extended period of time.
Howe had this to say on his situation:
“A big blow. It’s a complex story around Sven this season since he got his knee injury. Initially, he had a partial tear of his ACL, we saw [the] specialist opinion on that injury and there were conflicting reports on what he should do next.
"Ultimately, our medical team advised him to get surgery. He wanted to carry on playing and we'll always try to guide and help the players but it's their bodies and they have to make the final decision.
"I've seen several players from that injury come back and carry on playing and stay fit. It's a delicate issue for him. He now has a long period of rehab ahead of him and we wish him well and hope he comes back in a really good place."
Jamaal Lascelles – ACL
Eddie Howe also has to contend with Jamaal Lascelles's own ACL injury. This is set to see him miss around 6-9 months of action.
Latest Newcastle United suspension news
Sandro Tonali is the only Magpies player currently serving a long-term suspension.
Sandro Tonali – suspended (illegal betting)
The Italy international will be sidelined from competitive action until next August after breaching betting rules.
A Newcastle statement read: "Sandro Tonali has been banned from competitive football for ten months, as effective from Friday, 27th October 2023, following illegal betting charges by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
"FIGC's sanction includes an overall 18-month ban, with eight months commuted as the player participates in a therapeutic plan and educational programme in Italy consisting of 16 commitments.
"On the evening of Friday, 27th October, Newcastle United received confirmation that FIFA has endorsed FIGC's sanction to be applied worldwide, meaning Sandro will be eligible to return to competitive football from Tuesday, 27th August 2024."
