Eddie Howe provides bumper injury update with Manchester United game on Boxing Day
Eddie Howe has spoken to the media on Tuesday morning ahead of Newcastle United's trip to Old Trafford on Boxing Day to take on Manchester United.
Newcastle have several players missing through injury at the moment, and it's causing problems for Eddie Howe, particularly in defence.
Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Tino Livramento, Jamaal Lascelles, Dan Burn and Sven Botman are all currently unavailable for selection through injury.
However, Eddie Howe has offered a bit of hope in his press conference this morning with a few players on their way to a return.
Tino Livramento's injury may not be as bad as first feared
Howe said that Nick Pope and Sven Botman are doing well, although neither has trained with the group yet; they are both close.
The most encouraging news was on Tino Livramento who looked to have picked up a serious injury at the weekend. Eddie Howe says they're not completely sure, but it may not be as bad as first feared.
“It’s a difficult one because there’s quite a bit of information on Tino. We’re waiting to get full clarification. We’re hoping it’s not serious at all and he can resume training quite quickly. But before confirming that, we want to be sure that we’re right. We haven’t got clarity on that but hopefully it’s good news”
Joelinton could be set to feature against Manchester United
Elsewhere, Joelinton, who sat out the last two games, could find himself involved on Friday.
One player we're less likely to see again is Will Osula, who is still recovering from his ankle injury but is being strongly linked with a £20 million January exit with the Eintracht Frankfurt deal, which collapsed on the summer deadline day, set to be resurrected.
Of all of that, Sven Botman and Tino Livramento being closer to a return than we thought is the big news, especially Tino. We thought we were going to lose him for months.
