Eddie Howe has admitted Newcastle United will be without both Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy during Saturday’s Premier League trip to Wolves with Sandro Tonali now unavailable too.
Call it injury to insult, if you will.
As if Newcastle United’s 1-0 Champions League defeat at home to Borussia Dortmund was not frustrating enough – summer target Felix Nmecha scoring a brilliant winner on the stroke of half-time – the potential long-term absences of Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy only increased the frustration bubbling on the St James’ terraces.
Newcastle hit with absences ahead of Wolves clash
Newcastle travel to Wolves on Saturday evening.
And they will do so without their seven-goal top scorer, not to mention a winger who scored one and set up two more during last week’s 4-0 hammering of Crystal Palace.
“(Isak having to be subbed off vs Dortmund) was a blow for us. And Jacob coming off as well, which looks like a serious injury,” Howe says, via Goal.
“We have a small squad as it is. But, with so many games to come, that’s the big disappointment of the night.
“(Isak) looks a reoccurring of the groin injury. Jacob Murphy it looks more serious. A dislocation of his shoulder, which isn’t a good thing.”
Sandro Tonali banned for 10 months
Isak and Murphy – two players who set Newcastle back a combined £72 million – have now joined Harvey Barnes, Sven Botman and Elliot Anderson in a crowded treatment room. Sandro Tonali, the £60 million club-record summer signing, will also be out of action for the remainder of the current campaign, slapped with a ten month ban for breaching betting rules (BBC Sport).
As such, Wolves may fancy their chances against a Newcastle side shorn of so many star players. Gary O’Neil’s side can move to within two points of The Magpies with a win at Molineux, and will hope to build up some momentum ahead of winnable fixtures against Sheffield United, Fulham and Burnley.