Heading into another hectic period between now and the new year, it’s fair to say our current injury crisis could not have come at a much worse time.
Dan Burn’s rib injury sustained at the Stadium of Light is just the latest in a growing list of absentees Eddie Howe will have to work without across each of the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cup competitions, with Botman, Trippier, Krafth, Osula and Pope also sidelined.
One boost, however, is that DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa will miss the African Cup of Nations, which brings us to a few issues in Fulham’s squad now that three of Marco Silva’s key men have left to represent their country.
Key Fulham trio to miss out
Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze will each be missing from the Fulham squad after they were all called up by Nigeria, whose tournament begins next Tuesday against Tanzania.
It’s a mini boost to our chances of making the semi-finals, as all three players have played a key role at both ends of the pitch in recent weeks, with Bassey their physically dominant centre-back, Iwobi impressing in midfield and winger Chukwueze grabbing a goal or an assist in four of Fulham’s last five league games.
We’re all too familiar with what Chukwueze can do to us in cup competition as well, as the former AC Milan star was the architect behind our Champions League exit two seasons ago as he scored late at St James’ Park.
The visitors will also be without striker Rodrigo Muniz and the versatile Ryan Sessegnon. Fullback Antonee Robinson meanwhile has only just recently returned, and questions will be asked of Raul Jimenez’s own fitness and ability to play multiple games a week at 34.
Newcastle’s injury issues
Howe will be needing a huge shift from the quartet of Lewis Hall, Fabian Schar, Malick Thiaw and Tino Livramento over the next few weeks, as they are our only fit senior defenders right now.
The injury to the aforementioned Burn, coupled with Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth also suffering with their own fitness concerns has left us with a paper thin squad once again.
Nick Pope remains a doubt to return between the sticks in time for the midweek game, though he’ll no doubt be pushing to return for the following games against Chelsea and Manchester United.
Howe has previously admitted that he can’t yet afford Wissa 90 minutes so soon after his return from injury, whilst Nick Woltemade is clearly fatigued from being the sole striker option for so long: so it begs the question, just when Will Osula return from his reported ankle injury?
The young Dane has been tenuously linked with a move to the Bundesliga in January, but these midweek games against Premier League opposition are exactly when we need a player of his calibre ready and available.