'A big player': Eddie Howe has shared that he plans to take full advantage of £38m star in the run-in

Eddie Howe has had to treat some players with kid gloves this season after a raft of bad injuries after a couple of players have suffered recurrences of certain injuries after being rushed back too soon.

No Premier League side has suffered more with injuries than Newcastle United this season and as a result, the club is set to hold a big inquest into the practices that could be playing into this irritating phenomenon.

It's an issue that has plagued the entire season and as Joe Cole pointed out when on pundit duty during the game against West Ham where Newcastle lost three more players to injury, it can't just be bad luck.

The Magpies have missed some big players for large parts of the season, one of which has been Harvey Barnes who signed from Leicester City in the summer for £38million.

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Barnes has six goal involvements in just 16 appearances

Barnes started the season red-hot but soon picked up an injury that would keep him out of action for a long, long time.

He returned to action in February and only just completed his first 90 minutes in the game against Everton last Tuesday, a feat which meant Eddie Howe dropped him to the bench for Saturday's game against Fulham.

It was a wise move by Howe to not put too much pressure on his return and possibly aggravate an injury - lessons are being learned it seems, although tell that to Joe Willock.

Eddie Howe expects Barnes to play a big part in Newcastle's European assault

Speaking after the win against Fulham, Eddie Howe told the press (via The Chronicle) that Barnes will play a big part in Newcastle's run-in after the winger was involved in another goal at Craven Cottage.

"Harvey has done very well for us but there is no doubting his quality. There is no doubting his quality; he is a quality player.

"Again a player that succumbed to injury early on but he has come back into the team and made a difference. He gave us real energy, purpose and quality when he entered the pitch and there's no doubt he will get plenty of game time between now and the end of the season, he is a big player.

"One fresh pair is not what we want, we still have several out injured and want a few back. I can't praise the players enough who are fit and to win at Fulham was a massive win for everybody."