Eddie Howe has handed Newcastle a triple injury boost ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Manchester United as Sven Botman, Joelinton and Nick Pope bid to return.
In a weekend full of meaningful fixtures, Sunday’s meeting between one United and another at St James’ Park is up there with the most intriguing.
Win, and hosts Newcastle can go level with Erik ten Hag’s side.
But if United claim the victory – a repeat of February’s Carabao Cup final triumph over the same opposition – they will consolidate a Champions League place ahead of a hectic final stretch of an already-gruelling campaign.
Manchester United will be without the suspended Casemiro on Tyneside.
Newcastle, in contrast, should see the energetic Joelinton return, much to Howe’s delight. Star centre-half Sven Botman and Nick Pope, who was forced to pull out of the England squad recently and also missed that Wembley clash, may also be bit to feature.
Eddie Howe confirms ‘huge’ Newcastle boost
“Huge to have (Joelinton) available,” Howe tells The Chronicle. “Jo is a huge presence, not just physically, but the others lads know how good of a player he is. He’s a huge player for us. To have him back is a huge lift.
“Sven (Botman) suffered a nasty bout of food poisoning. He left (international duty with the Netherlands) early to get himself back up to speed. He’s trained with us since he’s returned so he should be fine.
“Nick (Pope) felt a problem in his thigh after the Wolves game. He didn’t train in the build-up to the (Nottingham) Forest game and then completed that game with a bit of discomfort.
“He’s trained this week. So, the signs are good.”
Howe insists that youngster Elliot Anderson will have an ‘important’ part to play this weekend too. One player definitely not in contention, however, is the only Newcastle man to hit double figures in Premier League action so far in 2022/23; 11-goal top scorer Miguel Almiron.
“He’s making really good progress,” Howe says of the jet-heeled Paraguayan. “He’s pain-free. I don’t think there’s any long-term issues. I think it’s just a case of that’s the time it will take for the muscle to full heal.
“So I think we’re four weeks off (a comeback). Maybe slightly less. But yeah, he’s making really good progress.”
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