Injury at Newcastle United: Eddie Howe has acknowledged that the team has made “mistakes” this year.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United squad is grappling with an ongoing injury crisis. Despite the positive news that Anthony Gordon’s ankle problem was less severe than initially anticipated, allowing him to complete the full 90 minutes in the 3-2 victory against Nottingham Forest, the team now faces new worries with both Callum Wilson and Jacob Murphy experiencing fresh concerns.
Prior to Wilson injuring his arm during the latter moments of the game, Murphy felt a calf strain during the warm-up at the City Ground. Both players are questionable for Saturday’s 3 p.m. kickoff against AFC Bournemouth at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle is grappling with an extensive list of injuries, with Alexander Isak, Joe Willock, Elliot Anderson, Matt Targett, Nick Pope, and Joelinton all currently sidelined. Moreover, throughout the season, nearly every squad member has faced injury woes, making it a challenging campaign. Adding to the adversity, Sandro Tonali has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a betting ban.
Eddie Howe expressed the team’s frustration, stating, “We entered this season with a squad designed to handle the demands of various competitions. Unfortunately, this season has been an anomaly for us, not just in terms of the sheer number of injuries but also the prolonged recovery periods. Dealing with one or two injuries is manageable, but the challenge has been the extended absence of several players for three, four, or even eight months. The lack of a clear recovery timeline has stretched our squad further, leading to more injuries.”
Newcastle’s struggles with injury management have been evident, with instances like Sven Botman playing through two matches despite sustaining cruciate ligament damage in his knee. The decision to forgo surgery on Harvey Barnes’ foot injury also prolonged his recovery period.
Acknowledging the challenges, Eddie Howe admitted, “Certainly, we have made mistakes. Certainly, we could do things better. Adding Sandro’s situation in an area where we couldn’t afford such setbacks has further complicated matters. It’s been one of those seasons where everything seems to have gone against us. Some injuries may have resulted from excessive workload or shortcomings in our training programs. Players engage in extensive gym work and various activities, not just on the training pitch.”
Highlighting the need for self-reflection, Howe emphasized, “If we claim we haven’t made any mistakes, we’d be fooling ourselves. We analyze every aspect, and when I say ‘we,’ I mean everyone at the football club. No individual or department is exempt; we’re all in this together. It’s essential to scrutinize, respond, and strive for improvement.”
There is optimism regarding the potential return of Alexander Isak, Joe Willock, and Elliot Anderson from their injuries. However, Eddie Howe remained cautious, especially regarding Joe Willock’s Achilles injury. Howe expressed uncertainty about Willock’s return, stating, “There is no certainty until he’s back that he will be back. So, fingers crossed he will. He’s in the last stages of his rehab, working hard, and doing well.”