Newcastle United Blog | Howe provides update on four magpies’ injuries after Sunday’s loss

Eddie Howe spoke to NUFC TV after Sunday’s loss to Manchester City. It was another tough game the guys couldn’t get anything from.

Newcastle have now lost three games in a row, with Manchester United heading to St. James’ Park the day after Boxing Day. Although there is a meeting tomorrow afternoon to discuss the possible postponement of some matches due to the Covid outbreaks at various clubs.

There were a few surprise absences from Howe’s squad sheet as Javier Manquillo and Jonjo Shelvey were not on the squad. Fortunately, neither player contracted the Covid or suffered a serious injury.

Howe provided the following injury update after Sunday’s game:

“Jamal Lewis has a hamstring problem so he will be out for a while.

“Javy Manquillo was a late quit due to illness. It really affected our preparation.

“Jonjo Shelvey was more careful, we hope. I don’t think there is any long term damage with it. It should be available soon.

“Fede is obviously a longer term project.”

Newcastle now have over a week to prepare for The Red Devils. Although the situation is grim, we are still only three points away from safety. However, a lot of clubs around us have several games in hand.

In the dying moments of Sunday’s game, Newcastle supporters began to raise the flags despite their 4-0 loss. The fans appreciated the effort against a very difficult opponent. The task was made even more difficult by an early mistake which gave Manchester City an early lead.

The guys stayed in the game despite a new goal conceded on a magnificent goal from Joao Cancelo. Later in the first half there was a penalty when Ederson took Ryan Fraser out in the box.

The call was not given and Manchester City took full control of the game with a dominant second half. Howe referred to the small margins in the first half while admitting Manchester City were exceptional after the break:

“We were seated and eagerly awaiting the competition. They’re the only team in the world that I don’t think you wanted to run after the game against because they’re so good with the ball. This [the first goal] was a disappointing moment at this point.

“It sounds strange, but for the rest of the first half, other than the second goal, which I know you can’t pull off, I thought our defensive structures were very good and I thought we defended well.

“In the second half they played very, very well and their control of the game was excellent.”

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