Harvey Barnes absence explained as £40m man misses out at Chelsea

Newcastle United have explained Harvey Barnes' absence at Chelsea tonight, confirming he is missing due to a 'minor hamstring injury.'

Miguel Almiron returns to the side at Chelsea tonight, with Tino Livramento replacing the injured Kieran Trippier at right-back, but fans noticed that Barnes' name was missing from the subs bench.

The club have now confirmed the reason, stating 'Harvey Barnes misses out this evening with a minor hamstring injury' in a tweet that followed shortly after the official team news.

The Mail's Craig Hope reports that Barnes felt a slight issue after coming on in our 3-0 win over Wolves last time out, but insists the issue is thought to be 'very slight.'

Barnes had featured in all of our last five league games and started our 2-2 draw with Bournemouth after recovering from a long-term toe injury, so it's a worry to hear he's back on the treatment table. Hopefully it doesn't keep him out long and he's in with a chance of returning for Saturday's cup quarter-final at the Etihad.

NUFC XI vs Chelsea: Dubravka – Livramento, Schar, Botman, Burn (c) – Longstaff, Bruno, Willock – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.

SUBS: Karius, Lascelles, Ritchie, Targett, Krafth, Murphy, Anderson, White, Miley

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