£39m Newcastle star could finally be back from injury very soon

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Newcastle United have struggled on the injury front this season.

Though the idea of attributing their current malaise solely to fatigue has been dismissed by the likes of Alan Shearer, there is little doubting Newcastle have been stretched.

So many players have been missing in action at times this season due to various injuries, while big summer signing Sandro Tonali was banned from football.

As such, it’s hard to say any of the summer additions have strengthened Eddie Howe’s hand just yet, aside from the excellent Tino Livramento.

Tonali impressed in flashes before his ban but was hardly a consistent revelation, while Lewis Hall is struggling for game time.

Now, however, Harvey Barnes might get the chance to prove his worth.

Harvey Barnes injury: Newcastle latest

Indeed, the winger only mustered seven appearances for the club following a £39m move from Leicester, scoring one goal.

He suffered a foot injury against Sheffield United in September and since hit a setback in his recovery.

The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, however, has now shared the latest on his fitness.

“Harvey Barnes, we haven’t heard anything negative on that since the last update, so that could be the middle of January,” he said in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Harvey Barnes: Newcastle star could afford Miguel Almiron a rest

Though generally operating on the opposite side to Miguel Almiron, a return for Barnes could offer his teammate a rest.

Almiron has hardly convinced in recent weeks, with frustrations said to have boiled over during the Boxing Day defeat to Nottingham Forest when a member of staff reportedly punched the dugout when watching the forward avoid using his right foot.

Were Barnes available, perhaps Howe could switch Anthony Gordon over to the right of the front three, deploying Alexander Isak on the left and sticking Callum Wilson through the middle.

Barnes has proven himself as a palpable goal threat in the Premier League and would certainly provide options.