Newcastle have a few niggles and fitness worries ahead of today’s 3pm match against Burnley.
Eddie Howe has stated that Callum Wilson (tight hamstring), Alexander Isak (tight calf), Sven Botman (knee), and Martin Dubravka (illness) all be given ‘late checks’. It’s hoped that all four will be well, but both strikers have minor muscle issues ahead of a hectic schedule.
Despite hobbling at the end of Wednesday’s triumph over City, Bruno Guimaraes (ankle) has been declared fit, and Dan Burn has recovered from illness.
Harvey Barnes (toe) will be sidelined for three months and won’t be able to play again until 2024, while Joe Willock (Achilles) and Emil Krafth (ACL) will also be out. The good news is that Krafth started for the U21s in the Premier League 2 last night, his first outing in 13 months.
Burnley will be without midfielder Manuel Benson (ankle) and suspended striker Lyle Foster, while winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson is questionable.
In yesterday’s news conference, Howe said the following about the front:
“We’re going to see Callum today… A slight hamstring soreness. We’ll give him every opportunity to play in the game. The same goes for Sven; we’ll do a late check on him. Harvey is obviously out, as are Joe Willock and Emil (Krafth). Dan Burns has been unwell, but we believe he will recover.”
“I believe he (Bruno) twisted his ankle during the game (on Wednesday).” I guess it took him a while to get rid of it at first, but hopefully he’s well.”
“Isak is another one we’ll keep an eye on. That’s how much the three games we’ve had in the previous week have cost. These problems usually pile up in the third game, and that’s where we are.
“We believe he (Barnes) will be out for three months.” Although there was no need for surgery, his foot is currently in a boot. It’s an injury beneath his big toe. He’s now started his rehabilitation, and he needs to rest to allow his body to heal before we can rebuild him.”