Eddie Howe is hopeful a short break for his Newcastle United players could help ease mounting injury worries.
What’s the last Newcastle United injury news?
While elements of the first six games have been hugely promising for Newcastle, injuries have offered frustration for pretty much the whole campaign thus far.
Indeed, Jonjo Shelvey is yet to kick a ball, while Emil Krafth and Callum Wilson were on the treatment table at a relatively early stage. Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin, meanwhile picked up hamstring injuries during games with Tranmere Rovers and Wolves respectively.
Krafth and Shelvey aside, none of the other issues are thought to be particularly long term ones.
Following a hectic period in the build-up to the World Cup, the club are thought to have given their players a short break in training. Saint-Maximin has been posting videos of his rehabilitation on social media, while the hope is a slight easing of the schedule will help get others up to speed.
After Saturday’s draw with Crystal Palace, Howe revealed he was optimistic of getting Saint-Maximin and Guimaraes back soon.
What did Howe say of the break?
Of the break, the head coach is quoted by the Shields Gazette as saying: “We probably need that little break, hopefully to welcome a couple of players back.
“There’s obviously no guarantee with that, because we’ve got training to do, but we’ve missed the individuals concerned.
“Bruno, Callum, Maxi, Jonjo [Shelvey], they’re massive players for us, and we’d love to get a couple back soon.”
How important is it Newcastle get their players back?
It seems obvious to say, but getting as many players back as possible before the World Cup break is imperative.
After playing Manchester City, Liverpool and in-form Brighton in their first six games, Newcastle have a slightly more forgiving run of games over the next few weeks.
West Ham away looks a test but meetings with Fulham, Bournemouth, Brentford and Everton before the end of October provide a real chance to really start racking up the points.
With Newcastle’s squad not exactly looking the deepest in terms of quality, it could be a long first-half to the season should the problems continue.
