Eddie Howe is beginning to get his international players back ahead of Newcastle United’s clash with West Ham United, but there were a few concerning absentees on Wednesday.
The Magpies face West Ham at St James’ Park on Saturday, as they kick off a 10 game mission to save their season and qualify for Europe. The international break has been a chance for some players to recharge their batteries, with Eddie Howe hoping a warm weather training camp in Dubai will focus minds.
Now the players are back on Tyneside, and the club provided an update from the training ground on Wednesday. They released pictures of the players training in preparation to face the Hammers, with Miguel Almiron back after his Paraguay commitments were cut short.
There was also an appearance from Alfie Harrison, the 18-year-old midfielder who signed from Manchester City during the January transfer window. It is interesting to see him involved, although he may have just been making up the numbers given the fact the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon are not expected back until Thursday.
Three key players not spotted in Newcastle training ahead of West Ham
But there are three Newcastle United players who have not been spotted in training, despite not being selected to represent their countries during the international break.
The first is Kieran Trippier, who was nowhere to be seen in any of the 27 photos the club uploaded to their official website. The £12million man has missed Newcastle’s previous two games with a calf problem, but it was hoped that he would return for the match against West Ham.
Elsewhere, Tino Livramento has also not been spotted. He picked up an injury during what was an impressive performance against Chelsea. That resulted in the 21-year-old not playing in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester City.
Thirdly, there appears to be no Harvey Barnes. He is another player who has missed the Magpies’ last two games, although the expectation was he would be fit to face the Hammers on March 30th.
Whether or not that proves to be the case remains to be seen.
Newcastle could have a right-back dilemma on Saturday
The fact that Trippier and Livramento have not been spotted will be most alarming to Toon fans. They are our first and second choice right-backs, after all.
If neither are available, it will likely mean that Eddie Howe needs to turn to Emil Krafth. The Swede is always reliable, and was recently described as the hardest player to take on in Newcastle United training.
Alternatively, Howe could stick with the wing-back system he used against Man City and retain Jacob Murphy on the right.
But in a perfect world, one of Trippier and Livramento will be fit in time to face West Ham. Fingers crossed that proves to be the case.
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