Newcastle United’s players are desperately in need of a rest, and that is exactly what they are getting.
Eddie Howe‘s team are not in action again until January 27th, when they take on Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
It is a rare break for Newcastle this season, who have been used to playing ever four days in multiple competitions.
The schedule has taken its toll on the Magpies, whose squad has been decimated for large parts of the 2023/24 campaign.
They have also barely had any time to train due to the volume of games, but that is now going to change.
In the past, Newcastle have used a break like this to go on a warm-weather training camp, but not this time. Instead, Eddie Howe has given his players some time off, and Toon striker Callum Wilson believes that the manager has made an excellent decision.
Callum Wilson thinks this break will be really good for Newcastle United
Callum Wilson has spoke about the Newcastle players being given time to rest and ‘switch off’ by Eddie Howe on the latest episode of the Footballer’s Football Podcast.
“The boys are going to rest up, recharge,” he said.
“Mentally switch off, physically switch off. I think it’s going to be good for us. It’s much needed.”
Wilson added: “The boys need some time to be away from the training ground and be away from each other.
“The manager has given us some time off to go and recharge. The boy will still be ticking over. You can’t just fully shut down and switch off.
“Then back to it again. Big games coming up so got to prepare properly.”
Newcastle will benefit massively from this break
Wilson is right. The Newcastle team is desperately in need of a break. They are enjoying some time away from the club, with Bruno Guimaraes travelling to Paris and Anthony Gordon jetting off to America.
Hopefully this two-week period without a game will massively benefit the Magpies heading into the second half of the season, as they look to salvage a campaign that has taken some major hits over the past month.
Newcastle have so many players out injured, and the ones who are not are shattered. That was noticeable again on Saturday as Man City snatched a winner in stoppage time.
This break should allow the fit players to recharge and refocus, while the injured players will hopefully be closer to a return.
That includes Wilson, who has been tipped to return this month. However, the news surrounding Joelinton is far less positive, as he could be out for the rest of the season.
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