Newcastle United have not had much to celebrate lately, despite preparing for the Carabao Cup final.
So much has gone wrong for Newcastle United over the past week. They are out of the FA Cup, Anthony Gordon is suspended for the cup final, Lewis Hall is injured for the rest of the season and Sven Botman is having surgery.
It has been a disastrous week on Tyneside, made worse by Newcastle increasing season ticket prices.
The Toon Army are rather subdued in the build-up to the Carabao Cup final, but Eddie Howe insists that the players have received a huge boost in recent weeks.
Eddie Howe delighted that Harvey Barnes is back for Newcastle United
That boost comes in the form of Harvey Barnes, who is fit again after a thigh injury.
The 27-year-old made substitute appearances against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool before starting the FA Cup defeat to Brighton.
While it was not his best performance, Howe is delighted to have Barnes fit and available once again – especially now that Gordon is suspended.
“He’s another player that has just returned from injury,” he said.
“Great to see him back, because we’ve really suffered with a lack of options in the wide areas. I think Harvey’s return has been a massive lift for everybody.
“You could see on Sunday he is still working his way back to his very best sharpness levels. He’s very fit, but it’s just that lack of game time that showed against his best performances this season.
“But he’s a huge player. He’s a player that’s always got goals. Very creative.
“We really like Harvey. He’s been unfortunate that Anthony’s been in such great form. But we certainly back him and I know he can make the difference.”
Harvey Barnes’ record for Newcastle United this season
After a bright start to the season, Barnes’ momentum in black and white has stalled.
So far this season, Barnes has made 28 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals and getting one assist.
However, four of his goal contributions came in the opening six games of the campaign.
Barnes’ last goal came on December 7th during Newcastle’s 4-2 defeat to Brentford. In fact, that was the last time he started a Premier League game for the Magpies.
The England international has played less and less as the season has gone on, while a thigh issue forced him to miss six games entirely at the beginning of 2025.
But now Barnes is fit again, and it is vital that he steps up and rediscovers his best form. Newcastle need match-winners, and Barnes has proven in the past that he can be exactly that.
He is a lethal finisher, and there is an opportunity for him to re-establish himself as a fan favourite on Tyneside amid Gordon’s suspension.
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