Newcastle United are set to be without Harvey Barnes for the next few months due to injury.
The 25-year-old was making his second-ever Newcastle start on Sunday, having been named in Eddie Howe’s starting XI for the game against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
While it ended in delight for Newcastle, with the Magpies scoring eight goals and making Premier League history, it was an afternoon that ended early for Harvey Barnes.
After a couple of touches, he was forced off in the 12th minute. Barnes was visibly distraught when the physios came on to assess him, and there was obviously real concern with Barnes not even being involved in a challenge.
His replacement Anthony Gordon excelled down the left, highlighting the depth Newcastle currently have.
However, the Magpies’ talent pool is suddenly going to be a bit shallower following an update from Eddie Howe.
Eddie Howe shares worrying injury update on Harvey Barnes
The Newcastle manager spoke to the media before the Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City, and provided an update on Barnes’ fitness.
He stated that the summer signing had sustained an ‘unusual’ foot injury, and that he would likely be out of action for months rather than weeks.
That is a devastating blow for the £39million man, who is yet to really burst into life in a Toon shirt. His Newcastle career is yet to get going, and this is a disappointing setback so soon after joining the club.
Newcastle fans gutted for Harvey Barnes
Newcastle fans have been reacting to the news on X (formerly known as Twitter), with many sending their best wishes to Barnes.
“Well, the Barnes injury couldn’t have came at a worse time. Looks like he’s going to have months out,” one fan wrote.
Another added: “Harvey Barnes is facing MONTHS on the sidelines. Makes getting Joelinton and Willock back fit even more important!”
A third Newcastle fan said: “Tough start to Barnes’s tenure at #NUFC – now potentially being sidelined for months. Similar to Isak’s story when he joined. He’ll come back stronger. We’ve got a good player there and the trajectory isn’t always perfectly diagonal. Get better soon, Harvey.”
“Got to feel sorry for Harvey Barnes coming into a club that is celebrating champions league for the first time in 20yrs and might not play any part in it,” wrote a fourth member of the Toon Army.
This supporter added: “Gutted for him. Seems like every season one of our new signings gets a big injury. Tripps in 2021/22, Isak in 2022/23 and now Barnes in 2023/24. Shame. Hopefully he recovers quicker than expected.”
And finally, a sixth Newcastle fan wrote: “Barnes is just what we needed in terms of clinical edge for the amount of fixtures we have. Frustrating but we can cope.”
Everyone is gutted for him, and hope to see him back playing again as soon as possible. Whether or not we see him play against his year remains to be seen.
Howe has said that he could be out for months, but was not able to be more specific.
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