After Evanilson, Bournemouth now suffer another injury blow ahead of Newcastle United trip

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Newcastle United have a busy home schedule in the next few days, culminating against Bournemouth on January 18th.

After a hat-trick of emphatic away wins against the ‘big six’, Newcastle United prepare for home comforts at St James’ Park.

The Magpies are now preparing for three home games in the space of a week, starting with the FA Cup third round tie against Bromley on Sunday.

Eddie Howe’s side then face Wolves in the Premier League on Wednesday night. Matheus Cunha will be back from suspension for Vitor Pereira’s side.

Then Newcastle United face Bournemouth on Saturday January 18th.

Bournemouth lose two strikers to injury

But while Wolves will have their main forward available for their trip to Tyneside, Bournemouth have major injury issues.

It started on Saturday when Evanilson suffered a fractured metatarsal during the Cherries’ 1-0 win over Everton.

That was a blow for Andoni Iraola, as the Brazilian striker has been excellent since his big money arrival from Porto.

His absence looked set to give Enes Unal a chance, but now he is unavailable too.

Bournemouth have confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that Unal has torn his anterior cruciate ligament in training and will now undergo surgery.

That means he will miss the rest of the season, while Bournemouth do not have a striker for their upcoming Premier League game against Newcastle United. In fact, they do not have a striker for any game until Evanilson is back from his broken foot.

Who could play up front for Bournemouth against Newcastle?

With the January transfer window open, Bournemouth will be desperate to sign a new centre-forward.

Whether or not one arrives before their game against Newcastle United next weekend remains to be seen.

The most likely solution is that one of Iraola’s wide players operates through the middle, whether that is Antoine Semenyo or Justin Kluivert.

Even without a recognised striker, Bournemouth are still a very dangerous team, and Newcastle must not underestimate them when they arrive on Tyneside.

But it is too soon for Eddie Howe to focus on that game. His main priority right now is Bromley, then it will be Wolves a few days later.