Newcastle United need all hands on deck as they prepare for what could be a season-defining week across the Champions League and the Premier League.
While the whole season has seen Newcastle United have to navigate a relentlessly busy fixture schedule, there has rarely been a week like this in the club’s modern history.
On Wednesday, Eddie Howe takes his side to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
How has Newcastle United’s win over Burnley made you feel about next week’s trip to Sunderland? 👀
Having been dealt a defeat in Marseille late last month, Newcastle really need to be picking up three points in Germany to ensure progress into the next round of the competition.
After that, there’s the small matter of a first Premier League trip to Sunderland in nine years.
If Newcastle – generally so bad away from home – lose both of those games, the season could hurtle towards a crisis.
Ahead of an intense week, here’s a look at the latest Newcastle United injury news and potential return dates.
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- Premier League
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Sven Botman
Sven Botman’s injury problems continue. Most recently, Botman has suffered a back injury and has missed Newcastle’s last three Premier League games.
Speaking before the Burnley game, Howe confirmed that the Dutch defender had an injection in his back after seeing a specialist.
That, however, needs a week to kick in, making his participation in either of the two games this week doubtful.
“Sven has had an injection in his back, I believe, but I haven’t seen him personally since the Tottenham game,” confirmed the Newcastle United manager. “We hope that will bring about his return quite quickly, but we think there’s a timeframe of about a week for the injection to work.’
Potential return date: Unknown
Kieran Trippier
Kieran Trippier’s experience and leadership would be a major help for the next few games. Having him fit would also help give Tino Livramento a rest, too.
Newcastle, however, are not afforded such a luxury after Trippier suffered a hamstring injury in November.
Writing in his programme notes ahead of the Burnley game, Trippier said: “Of course I miss playing, but the most important thing for me now is focusing on myself and my rehab with the physios, to get back fit as quickly as possible to help the team for the rest of the season.”
On Friday, Howe confirmed that the former England international could return towards Christmas.
“I think they [Trippier and Krafth] won’t be back sort of any time soon. In a sense of the next few games, anyway,” Howe said.
“We hope to get them back towards the Christmas period.”
Potential return date: Late December 2025
Nick Pope
Nick Pope suffered a groin injury in training after the Marseille game and has since missed games against Everton, Tottenham and Burnley.
Aaron Ramsdale hasn’t fully convinced in his absence, however, and John Ruddy is currently his main understudy.
Sadly for Newcastle, Howe has confirmed that Pope isn’t likely to return before Christmas.
“[His return date is] slightly unknown at the moment,” he said.
“Not a serious injury, not a long-term one, but enough to keep him out for probably the next two-to-three weeks.
“Probably looking around Christmas time again, for him.”
Potential return date: Late December 2025
Emil Krafth
Emil Krafth returned from the November international break with a knee injury and hasn’t played since.
While the Sweden international may not be first-choice anyway, at least having another body available would have been a major boost ahead of such a big week.
Like Trippier, however, Krafth could return at Christmas time.
“I think they [Trippier and Krafth] won’t be back sort of any time soon. In a sense of the next few games, anyway,” Howe said.
“We hope to get them back towards the Christmas period.”
Potential return date: Late December 2025
How badly have Newcastle United treated William Osula this season?
Blocked from leaving, hardly used and then potentially sold in January…
Is it fair on Osula? He’s looked good when he’s played!
William Osula
An ankle injury forced William Osula out of Newcastle’s squad for the win over Athletic Club in November.
The Dane, who has been increasingly linked with a move away from the club in January, hasn’t played since.
Yoane Wissa’s return to full fitness is likely to push the former Sheffield United forward back down the pecking order, too.
Still, Howe has previously suggested that Osula could return from injury soon.
In late November, Howe said: “We hope that he will be pain free, then we can build him up and he’ll be back pretty quickly.”
Potential return date: Unknown