Newcastle United were rocked by three huge setbacks ahead of the Carabao Cup final in March.
The chances of Newcastle United ending their tremendously long wait for a trophy were reduced after it was confirmed that three key players will miss the upcoming trip to Wembley Stadium for the Carabao Cup final.
Newcastle defenders Lewis Hall and Sven Botman need operations on respective ankle and knee injuries. Hall’s season is over, but there is hope that Botman can return to action before the end of the season – it will be incredibly tight and possibly dangerous considering his recent struggles with injury.
Anthony Gordon was sent off against Brighton for violent conduct meaning he will also miss the final. Toon boss Eddie Howe thought Gordon’s red card was ‘harsh’ upon first inspection and confirmed that they will assess their options regarding an appeal.
However, it was confirmed Newcastle would not appeal Gordon’s red card with Howe citing insufficient grounds as the reason.
With Newcastle going into the final without three of their most important players, insiders have revealed what Howe has been doing in the wake of an incredibly unfortunate week for the club.
Newcastle insiders reveal Eddie Howe’s late nights at Darsley Park
Newcastle have to go back to the drawing board with the knowledge that the squad they take to Wembley will be significantly weaker.
Hall and Gordon were guaranteed starters in the cup final and Botman would have been in with a great shout of playing if he was fit enough.
According to the Athletic, insiders have told them that Howe has effectively been “circling the wagons” at Darsley Park, Newcastle’s training ground, this week. Howe is known for doing long shifts at the training ground but he and Newcastle staff have spent significantly longer there since the Brighton loss, even working late into the night to find the right solution.
The report states that Newcastle have looked at ‘every’ potential solution and have gone as far as to trial them in training. A lot of the focus has been on a new left-sided partnership in Hall and Gordon’s absence.
Harvey Barnes is a likely replacement for Gordon, with the 27-year-old possibly fighting for his future on Tyneside – he may not have a better chance than this.
However, a double-pivot including Joelinton and Joe Willock could make a triumphant return should Howe choose to go that way. The pair formed a magical partnership during the 2022/23 season, but Gordon’s comeuppance meant fans have barely seen it used since.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle left-back dilemma
With Hall out for the rest of the season, Howe must now change the tide in that position and give someone an opportunity to may not have had it beforehand.
A possible contender is Matt Targett who has looked good in his limited number of appearances this season. The 29-year-old was close to leaving Newcastle in January but has a chance to earn Howe’s trust before the end of the season.
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However, a more likely option is to play Tino Livramento as a left-back. The 22-year-old can play as a left-back and has done so before at Newcastle, taking that position in the FA Cup loss against Brighton last week.
Livramento’s shift in position means that Kieran Trippier is likely to receive more game time and will almost certainly play in the Carabao Cup final. At 34, this could well be Trippier’s last season at Newcastle and possibly his last chance to win a trophy in his career – giving him more motivation to bring the Carabao Cup back to Tyneside.
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