Howe issues triple injury update ahead of Brentford clash and final 10 games of 2024/25

After what has been the most enjoyable of international breaks after Newcastle's Carabao Cup win, the team are finally back in Premier League action tomorrow night.

Eddie Howe has been speaking to the press this morning from the club's media centre, offering an update on injuries and availability ahead of Wednesday's 7.45pm kick-off at home to Brentford.

Here's what he had to say, starting with a positive update on two Mags currently sidelined:

Howe on Gordon and Botman

Howe offered a positive update on Anthony Gordon and Sven Botman this morning.

Gordon - who is suspended for tomorrow's game - has "nasty bruising" around his thigh after taking a whack on international duty, but he's due back in training in the "next few days".

Howe said: “He (Gordon) has some nasty bruising around his thigh but he’s up and running and feeling quite good. He’s not trained with the group yet so we anticipate he’ll do that within the next few days.”

As for Botman, Howe's suggested that he's ahead of schedule after a small operation and should be back next month, meaning he could feature over the final few weeks of the season.

“Sven’s not too bad," Howe said. "He’s had a very minor operation just to clean out some floating bone that was in his knee and was causing him a problem. The initial diagnosis was between six and eight weeks but I think he’s already got through a few of those. Fingers crossed we’ll see him in May.”

Jamaal Lascelles latest

For our former skipper, things don't sound quite as promising, as Howe admitted he's unsure if Jamaal Lascelles will play again this season as he continues to step up his recovery from an ACL injury suffered over 12 months ago.

Howe said: "I don't know if we will see Jamaal again (this season) and I don't want to set a target or time. He has started very light training with the squad.

"But on the drills that are not competitive he has joined in. He has looked very good, it is small steps for him.

"We are hoping to get him to join in and competing before the end of the season whether that ties in with the team and whether he gets there in time for competitive action we will see. He is a huge leader and very popular within the group.

"He has a big presence and I was delighted he got to lift the cup with the other guys. He deserved that moment for the length of time he has been here and the service he has given."

With Lascelles out of contract this summer, there is a chance he's already played his last game in a black and white shirt.