Eddie Howe gave an immediate update last night as yet another Newcastle United player was taken off injured
Newcastle United's squad are dropping like flies of late, with Fabian Schar going off injured in midweek last week, followed by Tino Livramento at the weekend and then Jacob Murphy last night.
We went into this season thinking that the six additions we made in the summer would be enough to see us through any potential injury crisis, but the Magpies' defence has been decimated, and injuries in other key areas are forcing Eddie Howe into changes he'd probably prefer not to make.
It's not helped by the fact that some players simply aren't performing, making them seem like a weaker option than they perhaps looked at the start of the campaign.
With all of the games Newcastle are having to play this season, rotation is the only way Eddie Howe could reasonably expect his squad to cope, but when injuries start to creep in, those chances to rotate dwindle and players end up playing too many games. Malick Thiaw has now played the last 28 games in a row with no sign of a let-up.
Eddie Howe gave an update on Jacob Murphy's hamstring injury
Last night, Howe rotated his wingers, giving in-form Harvey Barnes a well-earned rest. At least that was the plan, but Jaocb Murphy, himself just back from injury, felt something go in his hamstring and was withdrawn as aprecaution.
Howe addressed this in his post-match press conference, saying he doesn't think it's serious, but clearly something isn't right.
"We don’t think Jacob’s injury is serious. But of course, we’re waiting to see the full extent.
“He’s had a hamstring problem for a couple of weeks.
“He’s had two scans that have come back clear, so we’re not quite sure what’s going on with him.”
We find it odd that the scans aren't picking anything up with Jacob Murphy
The fact that the scans are coming back clear, but he's clearly finding it hard to play, is a worry.
Jacob Murphy played some fantastic balls into the area last night that Yoane Wissa really should have done better with.
It seems that when Wissa plays, Murphy would be the ideal winger to start along with him as he could potentially strike up another partnership akin to the one he had with Alexander Isak last season. But getting them both fit is the most important thing first.
