Newcastle United’s fringe players look set to get a run out against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, as Eddie Howe looks to manage his squad during an intense period of games.
The Magpies take on Man United before facing Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, meaning Eddie Howe needs to carefully manage his players’ loads as he looks to avoid any more injuries.
That will likely result in him rotating his side for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup game at Old Trafford, as Newcastle look to get revenge against the side that beat them in last season’s final.
However, that might be difficult given the changes Howe could be forced to make. But one player who will be desperate to feature and show is worth is Emil Krafth.
Emil Krafth features heavily in Newcastle training pictures
The club have released a selection of training photos ahead of Wednesday’s game, with Krafth featuring heavily.
He will be hoping to be involved, having returned to the Newcastle bench at the weekend. He was named as a substitute for the Magpies’ 2-2 draw with Wolves at Molineux. That was a big deal for Krafth, who has not played a senior game since August 24th 2022.
That was during last season’s Carabao Cup, when Krafth started the 2-1 victory over Tranmere Rovers. However, he did not finish that game. Instead, he was stretchered off after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
It was a horrible injury for the 29-year-old, who has not played since. But the right-back has recently returned to full training, and was deemed fit enough for the bench in the Premier League at the weekend.
That will hopefully result in him getting some minutes at Old Trafford, just over 14 months since his last Toon appearance.
Krafth is competing with Tino Livramento to play right-back, but Howe does have a couple of ways he could get both players in his side. He does have the option of playing Krafth as a centre-back, or he could use Livramento in a more advanced role.
Either way, do not be surprised if Krafth does make his first appearance in more than a year against Manchester United on Wednesday night. And what a special moment that will be for him after such a horrific injury.
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