Newcastle United's injury situation has been assessed ahead of Tuesday night's trip to Aston Villa (8:15pm kick-off).
The Magpies were without 10 first-team players for Saturday's 2-0 win over Fulham which saw Kieran Trippier walk off in the closing stages with a groin issue. The right-back claimed after the game that he would be 'fine' for the trip to Villa Park with a similar message echoed by Eddie Howe in his pre-match press conference.
"I think we’re okay," Howe said on Trippier. "We’ll know more today."
Miguel Almiron is in line to return from illness at Villa Park but has been subject to transfer interest from Saudi Arabia this month. Club captain Jamaal Lascelles also missed the Fulham match due to a calf issue with a late fitness call expected to be made ahead of Tuesday's match. "Jamaal I'm not so sure about," Howe added. "It's not a serious injury but it might be enough to keep him out of this game. We'll wait and see, maybe he'll be close but we certainly hope to have Miggy with us."
Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes are both closing in on returns from injury but Howe ruled both players out of the Villa match along with Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson. "Harvey is getting closer," Howe continued. "He's probably the closest of the ones you mentioned along with Callum Wilson.
"You go a little bit further back to Joe Willock and then a little bit further again to Elliot and a couple others who are even further back. Those guys are probably the closest two to coming back to help us."
Howe originally outlined the Aston Villa match as a target for Wilson's return from a calf injury but the striker's return has now been pushed back. But The Magpies boss denied his No. 9 had suffered any set-back with his injury. “No setback, no," Howe said. "We hoped he’d be back [for Aston Villa]. I think he was given a four to five-week timeline which coincided with this game but I think it’s going to be more the five weeks than four.”
Here is Newcastle United's current injury list as things stand...
1. Matt Targett (achilles)
Targett has been missing since picking up a hamstring injury against Man Utd back in November. He has featured on the bench in their last couple of outings before dropping out v West Ham and Everton in what is understood to be a minor setback in his recovery. Expected return: Tottenham Hotspur (H) - 13/04 | Getty Images
2. Kieran Trippier (calf)
Trippier was forced off during the 3-0 win over Wolves with a calf injury. He has since been ruled out for over a month. Set for another couple of weeks out at least. Expected return: Crystal Palace (A) - 24/04 | Getty Images
3. Nick Pope (shoulder)
Nick Pope dislocated his shoulder against Manchester United in December and required surgery. Eddie Howe has said the goalkeeper is still a number of weeks away and isn't expected back until 'late April'. Expected return: Sheffield United (H) - 27/04 | Getty Images
4. Tino Livramento (ankle)
Livramento picked up a twisted ankle injury at Chelsea which ruled him out for the Manchester City trip. He returned against West Ham United before suffering another ankle injury which will keep him out for another couple of weeks. Expected return: Burnley (A) - 04/05 | Getty Images