Eddie Howe shares update to Sky Sports after Newcastle United lose key players ahead of Carabao Cup final

Today saw Newcastle United confirm that Lewis Hall will miss the rest of this season after undergoing surgery on his foot following the game at Anfield against Liverpool.

That leaves the Magpies without their usual starters down the left side of the pitch. Anthony Gordon will miss the next three matches after his red card at the weekend, one of which will be the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on 16th March.

Lewis Hall has been one of Newcastle's more consistent performers in their up-and-down season and losing him now is a huge blow to the club's ambitions this season.

Meanwhile Anthony Gordon hasn't shown the same levels of consistency, but he's the type of player you want in the side for big games.

Keith Downie shared Eddie Howe's updates on Gordon and Hall

Keith Downie has spoken to Eddie Howe today and the Sky Sports journalist has posted some of Howe's responses to questions around Hall and Gordon to his X account.

Eddie Howe to @SkySportsNews on Lewis Hall & Anthony Gordon hammer blows ahead of the Cup Final 🏆:

🗣️ Lewis has been particularly hit by the news and the timing of it. It’s been particularly tough for him with the Cup Final just around the corner and also England on the horizon.
🗣️ It’s a nasty injury so we need to make sure he’s treated right and hopefully he’s back to full strength for next season. But he’s a strong character.
🗣️ That left side for us has been a constant source of creativity for us this year so it’s a big blow — both players have been outstanding.
🗣️ Yeah, I don’t quite know how to put a positive spin on it, but I’ll try … it’s an opportunity for other players, and we will just have to try and find a solution. Our challenge now is to regroup — and we will.
#NUFC ⚫️⚪️

It's a big chance for Harvey Barnes and Matt Targett

When the relentlessly positive Eddie Howe says "I don't quite know how to put a positive spin on it" you know that the situation is dire.

While Howe says it's an opportunity for other players, we expect that Harvey Barnes will be one of them, while it's likely Matt Targett will come in for Lewis Hall.

Fingers crossed that Targett has been working on his crossing in training after the former Aston Villa man hit the first man every time he tried to play the ball into the box on Sunday after coming off the bench.