Newcastle United confirm fresh injury concern as full-back duo ruled out v Everton
Everton v Newcastle United team news: Eddie Howe has provided an injury update ahead of Saturday’s trip to Liverpool.
Newcastle United return to Premier League action on Saturday as they face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium (5:30pm kick-off).
The Magpies head into the match on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Marseille in the Champions League having beat Manchester City last time out in the Premier League at St James’ Park last weekend.
Newcastle head into the game having not won a Premier League away match since April. And Eddie Howe has a few injury issues to content with heading into the match.
Eddie Howe provdies NUFC injury update as fresh concern revealed
Sven Botman has been named on the bench for Newcastle’s last two matches with Howe revealing in his pre-match press conference that the defender has been nursing a back issue.
“Nothing major I don't think from the game,” Howe said. “We'll obviously have a good look at the lads today. We've got Sven Botman who's been nursing a bit of a back problem the last few days. Yeah, apart from that I think we're the same.”
Emil Krafth and Kieran Trippier have missed the last two matches due to respective knee and hamstring injuries. Yoane Wissa and William Osula also remain out.
“[Trippier] had a scan on his hamstring,” Howe added. “We think it's roughly around a month, give or take. That's the diagnosis. Fingers crossed we can get him back quickly.
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“[Krafth] came back from international duty with a knee issue. I don't think it's anything too serious. He's had a scan which came back pretty good. So yeah, whether he's fit for this game is probably too soon for him.”
On Wissa, the Newcastle boss continued: “Yoane is doing well. He trained with us for the first time on Wednesday, when we came back from Marseille. So yeah, I was really, really pleased with how he looked.
“That was his first time competitively with the group. Let's see how he responds. Hopefully he'll train again today and then we'll continue to build him up.
“Well, we've got [a return date] in mind, but I think probably best to keep it to myself. I don't want to disappoint anybody. Of course, we want to involve him as soon as possible, but we want him to be able to perform.”
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Eddie Howe on goalkeeping situation and Newcastle United team selection
Howe’s team selection heading into Saturday’s match is set to be heavily scrutinised amid calls from supporters to drop goalkeeper Nick Pope from the side in place of summer signing Aaron Ramsdale.
But The Magpies’ boss remained tight-lipped as expected when it came to his team selection.
“Well, all options, of course, are on the table for me,” he said. “I need to, as I always do with the team selection, think long and hard about who I pick. And I try and do that on merit. As I say, I get the luxury of seeing the players train every day, goalkeepers included, and yes, I'll make my call.
“Aaron's role here was to come in and compete and fight and show what a good goalkeeper is and train well and add to the group, bring good harmony, bring his energy because he's a really positive guy, all those things and he's done that and I've been really, really pleased with him.