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...
"I think we’re okay," Howe said on Trippier. "We’ll know more today."
![Anderson was featuring fairly regularly for the Magpies this season but has been out for an extended period with a back injury.
It was initially suggested the midfielder would be back in training by the end of 2023 but he is likely to be out for over four months in total with a return to training close.
Expected return: Wolves (H) - 02/03](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/11/09/16/35/Elliot%20Anderson%20-%20out.jpg?trim=0,57,0,56&width=800)
5. Elliot Anderson (back)
Anderson was featuring fairly regularly for the Magpies this season but has been out for an extended period with a back injury. It was initially suggested the midfielder would be back in training by the end of 2023 but he is likely to be out for over four months in total with a return to training close. Expected return: Wolves (H) - 02/03 | Getty Images
![Nick Pope dislocated his shoulder against Manchester United in December. There were concerns his season could be over as a result as he required surgery but he is likely to be back in contention before the end of the campaign.
Expected return: Everton (H) - 03/04](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/12/02/22/18/GettyImages-1827217236.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. Nick Pope (shoulder)
Nick Pope dislocated his shoulder against Manchester United in December. There were concerns his season could be over as a result as he required surgery but he is likely to be back in contention before the end of the campaign. Expected return: Everton (H) - 03/04 | Getty Images
![Wilson managed to complete 90 minutes at Nottingham Forest but ended the match with his arm in a makeshift sling. It has since been revealed the striker suffered a pectoral injury in his chest and has undergone surgery.
Expected return: Burnley (A) - 04/05](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/10/20/28/GettyImages-2000718450.jpg?trim=0,60,0,53&width=800)
7. Callum Wilson (chest)
Wilson managed to complete 90 minutes at Nottingham Forest but ended the match with his arm in a makeshift sling. It has since been revealed the striker suffered a pectoral injury in his chest and has undergone surgery. Expected return: Burnley (A) - 04/05 | Getty Images
![Joelinton picked up a thigh injury during Newcastle's 3-0 win over Sunderland. He was able to briefly play on before being withdrawn. Eddie Howe has ruled the Brazilian out for at least six weeks but surgery on the injury is likely to keep the midfielder out until the end of the season.
Expected return date: May 2024](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/01/07/0/26/GettyImages-1912886022.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
8. Joelinton (thigh)
Joelinton picked up a thigh injury during Newcastle's 3-0 win over Sunderland. He was able to briefly play on before being withdrawn. Eddie Howe has ruled the Brazilian out for at least six weeks but surgery on the injury is likely to keep the midfielder out until the end of the season. Expected return date: May 2024 | Getty Images