Exclusive: After a “frustrating” injury blow, top player is anticipated to return ahead of schedule, and Newcastle is now expected to approve the Jan loan deal.
Harvey Barnes is one of several Newcastle United attackers currently ruled out through injury.
Newcastle United are optimistic about Harvey Barnes returning to action by the end of the year.
Barnes, the winger who had recently made just his second start for the club following his £38 million summer transfer from Leicester City, sustained a toe injury early in the Magpies’ 8-0 victory at Sheffield United last month. While surgery was not necessary, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe initially stated that Barnes required a three-month recovery period before returning to training, which would have kept him out of action until early 2024. However, in a recent update, Howe is now aiming for Barnes to make his comeback a bit earlier.
“Hopefully, we can bring him back a little sooner than that, but we’re targeting the end of December,” Howe informed NewcastleWorld.
Howe went on to explain, “Yeah, he’s doing okay. It was a frustrating injury because it happened in a very unremarkable manner. He felt pain in his toe while trying to push off, a movement he has performed numerous times in his career. It’s frustrating because, in the early stages, there isn’t much that can be done; you have to rest and allow the bone to heal. Once he begins moving again, he should hopefully start feeling much better.”
Barnes is just one of several Newcastle attackers currently sidelined. Alexander Isak experienced a recurrence of his thigh issue during the midweek defeat to Borussia Dortmund, and Jacob Murphy dislocated his shoulder. Additionally, Elliot Anderson, who can play in midfield or on the left flank, is sidelined for eight weeks with a back injury.
Howe expressed, “We’re a bit thin in the attacking areas. I mentioned that we had a deeper squad this season, but when you have injuries in specific positions, the situation can quickly change. Unfortunately, we are missing Harvey, Elliot, Alexander, and Jacob, which puts pressure on our attacking resources.”
Citations: Newcastle United is now anticipated to approve a loan signing in January.
Football Insider has been informed by sources that Newcastle United plans to bring in a loan player in January to replace suspended midfielder Sandro Tonali.
Tonali, 23, was suspended from football for ten months for breaking Italian betting laws.
But since his suspension hasn’t been confirmed, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has hinted that the midfield player might play against Wolves on Saturday, October 28.
As he gets ready to miss the remainder of the 2023–24 season as well as Euro 2024, the Magpies are focusing on finding a replacement for the former Milan ace in January.
However, because of Financial Fair Play constraints, Football Insider disclosed on Friday, October 27, that Newcastle is unlikely to make a significant acquisition.
Amadou Onana of Everton, Scott McTominay of Man United, and Joao Palhinha of Fulham have all been heavily linked to moves to St James’ Park in recent days.
However, it’s thought that Tyneside’s transfer budget will simply not approve of transactions that size, with Howe likely to resort to a loan arrival instead.
Tonali, who reportedly paid £55 million during the summer transfer window, has made 12 appearances and scored one goal for his new team.
In light of the ongoing investigation into his illicit betting activities, he has started the last two games for Newcastle off the bench.
In center midfield, Howe also has the likes of Joelinton, Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff, Elliot Anderson, and Bruno Guimaraes at his disposal.
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