Eddie Howe has issued a worrying update on injuries suffered by Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin in last night’s 1-1 draw with Man Utd.
He admits that Wilson’s injury “doesn’t look good”, even thought the extent of the injury, believed to be in his calf, is yet to be established.
The NUFC boss believes Saint-Maximin’s situation ‘isn’t as serious’, hoping he’ll be back within a couple of weeks at the very worst.
As for the COVID situation, Howe claims we are “dangerously close” to not having enough available players for the trip to Everton on Thursday. It’s not yet known who has tested positive, with Ritchie, Clark, Darlow and Willock all missing from todays’ squad.
Here’s what Howe had to say, starting with an update on the two injuries:
“Callum’s injury doesn’t look good.
“I don’t know what it is, or what the extent of the injury is, but just the way he went down, I feared the worst for him in that moment.
“He felt he’d been kicked, which is why he got up and felt he could run it off. But obviously that wasn’t to be.
“We need to see the extent of Callum’s injury, get a diagnosis and then see the appropriate action from there.
“Maxi’s, I don’t know how bad that is. I don’t think it’s as serious, but serious enough to bring him off.
“It hopefully won’t be any more than a few weeks. It’s difficult to tell.
“We’ll wait and see in the next few days, but there’s certainly an injury there.
“That’s the big disappointment from tonight.
“It’s going to come at a cost. Callum will definitely be struggling for the short term.”
Worryingly, injury analyst Ben Dinnery revealed after the game that Howe fears Wilson could be facing “months” out.
To make matters worse, the NUFC boss also gave a concerning update on the COVID front, having this to say ahead of Thursday’s trip to Everton; a club who’ve also confirmed a host of positive cases over the past few days:
“We are stretched.
“We have COVID in the camp so it’s difficult moments for us.
“The lads gave everything , but we are thin on the ground in terms of bodies.
“I believe it’s 13 plus a goalkeeper (to have to play) – we’re going to be dangerously close to that number.
“We just need to count the cost of tonight and see where we are. We need to count the bodies up, and see if we can get enough to play the game.”
Surely a requirement for 13 plus a keeper is a joke?
So the make-up of the 13 is not important? Could be 13 without a single fit defender and you have to get out there and make do?
Ridiculous.
Come on Eddie – where’s your creativity? I’m sure you could find another couple of injuries if you had to!
Freddd(Quote)