Newcastle United visit Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday, but manager Eddie Howe will face fresh injury concerns after suffering blows against Borussia Dortmund.
The Magpies fell to a 1-0 defeat in midweek while hosting the Bundesliga giants at St James’ Park. Felix Nmecha (45’) gave Newcastle their first loss in the Champions League this term. It leaves the Toon third in Group F. But Howe ended the night rueing the injuries his side took.
Newcastle welcomed Joe Willock back from an injury against Borussia Dortmund for his first outing of this season. The midfielder had not appeared since May after suffering an Achilles issue whilst recovering from a hamstring injury. But fresh blows took the shine off his return.
Newcastle United injury list ahead of facing Wolves
One of the injury blows that Newcastle suffered against Borussia Dortmund was the loss of striker Alexander Isak. The 24-year-old had only just returned from an earlier issue for their midweek meeting. He now faces another spell on the sidelines as eyes return to the league.
Newcastle travel to Wolves this Saturday in the 17:30 kick-off looking to better last season’s 1-1 draw at Molineux. Allan Saint-Maximin rescued a point for the Toon in stoppage time in August 2022. So, ahead of their trip to Wolves, here is Newcastle’s current injury situation…
Alexander Isak injury latest
Isak suffered a recurrence of an earlier groin injury as Newcastle hosted Borussia Dortmund at St James’ Park. Howe had to remove the Sweden striker in just the 15th minute of the tie on Tyneside. He suffered the initial injury in the final stages of their draw against West Ham.
Newcastle are now assessing the injury to determine if Isak will miss Saturday’s match with Wolves. Howe admitted after the defeat to BVB that the Magpies feared it was a ‘big blow’.
“It looks like a recurrence of his Isak’s groin problem and it’s a big blow,” he said via the BBC.
Expected return: Unclear
Jacob Murphy injury latest
Howe removed Jacob Murphy from Newcastle’s defeat to Borussia Dortmund after just five minutes of his introduction due to injury. The 28-year-old dislocated his shoulder moments after entering the tie as a second-half substitute. It was his eighth appearance of the season.
Murphy has only held a peripheral role on Tyneside this term. Yet he scored and laid on two assists against Crystal Palace before the Toon hosted BVB. But Murphy now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with Howe fearful that the Newcastle forward suffered a major injury.
“Jacob came off with what looks like a serious injury,” Howe admitted, via BBC Sport. “We’ve got a small squad as is it. That’s probably the most disappointing thing of the night. Jacob’s looks serious, potentially a dislocation of his shoulder.”
Expected return: Unclear
Sven Botman injury latest
Newcastle are now unlikely to welcome Sven Botman back from his knee injury before the Toon visit Borussia Dortmund in November. Howe confirmed after the October international break that the centre-half remained at least a few more weeks away from making his return.
Botman had raised hopes of recovering sooner during the October break after training alone at Darsley Park. But the 23-year-old could not improve his fitness enough to return from the issue sustained against Sheffield United. Botman’s injury should keep him out of nine games.
“He was not close,” Howe said, via the Shields Gazette, before the Toon met Crystal Palace. “Obviously, I couldn’t say that yesterday [Friday]. But he hasn’t trained yet, he’s got a bit of a way to go. Hopefully, it won’t be too long. But [the] next couple of weeks, he won’t be fit.”
Expected return: Borussia Dortmund (November 7)
Harvey Barnes injury latest
Newcastle will not welcome Harvey Barnes back from a significant foot injury until the New Year. The 25-year-old suffered the blow during the Toon’s 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield United. Howe fears the issue will sideline his £39m summer signing from Leicester for three months.
“We think he’s going to be out for around three months,” Howe noted about Barnes’ injury, via quotes by Sky Sports, in September. “No surgery required, which is good news, but his foot is now in a boot. It is an injury underneath his toe and he’s now started his recovery.
“I think he’s going to be quite sedate for a period of time because he’s got to rest the toe. He’s got to give it every chance to recover, and then we’ll have to build him up slowly. So, that’s why it’s the three months.”
Expected return: Manchester City (January 13)
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