Newcastle United’s hopes of finally winning a trophy are getting smaller and smaller the closer the Carabao Cup final gets.
Sunday’s defeat couldn’t have been more disastrous for Newcastle United and not just because they put in another poor performance and were eliminated from the FA Cup by Brighton despite taking the lead.
The day started on the wrong foot when it was revealed Lewis Hall wouldn’t play due to an ankle injury and things only got worse from there.
Anthony Gordon was sent off for a remarkably foolish shove on Jan Paul van Hecke and will now miss the Carabao Cup final with suspension.
Gordon had only just left the pitch when he was followed by Alexander Isak who limped off in his return to the starting XI after a minor groin issue.
Kieran Tripper was also substituted with an injury later on and it leaves Eddie Howe facing the prospect of being without several crucial players for the trip to Wembley to face Liverpool.
Newcastle injury crisis ahead of Carabao Cup final
There is a slight chance Gordon’s red card could be overturned as Howe has said the club will appeal it but it’s impossible to see why the suspension would be recinded.
So, in all likelihood, Newcastle will be without Gordon and possibly three more stars as well.
Isak missed Wednesday’s trip to Liverpool as the manager wanted to manage his fitness due to a groin issue, only for him to go off upon returning to the side.
Thankfully, Howe has said it’s only “tightness, not an injury”, so it bodes well that he will be fighting fit in two weeks.
Things aren’t looking as rosy at full-back, though, after Trippier went off due to a back problem and Hall’s injury sounds concerning.
The left-back has suffered an ankle injury that required him to see a specialist and results are pending, with no timescale on his return.
Should Newcastle be without all four players then the starting XI will be severely depleted.
Strongest XI available to Eddie Howe vs Liverpool
Thankfully, there is some good news as Harvey Barnes and Joelinton returned to the team after stints on the sidelines on Sunday.
Sven Botman is also close to a return and the defender being available could be crucial.
Should Trippier and Hall both be out, that leaves a massive gap at left-back. Dan Burn could fill it if a 4-3-3 was deployed but that’s a big risk against the electric Mohamed Salah.
Instead, Howe could revert to the 5-4-1 formation that served his side well in the semi-final win over Arsenal and draft Matt Targett in to play on the left, with Joelinton just ahead of him on the flank to provide support.
Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes will be the battlers in the middle with Jacob Murphy on the right.
Every Newcastle fan will be keeping everything crossed that Isak is fit as otherwise Callum Wilson will come in and he did not fair well against Liverpool last time.
The last big decision Howe has to make is between Martin Dubravka and Nick Pope in goal but the Slovakian has surely earned the start.
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