As the international break comes to an end, Newcastle United fans are starting to hope for a full team for the big home game against Manchester City. But, as is typical for the Magpies, the route to that perfect lineup is still a mix of cautious hope and persistent frustration. Eddie Howe has fought through a season full of absences, but just in time for what could be a defining Premier League match, there are signs of hope.
Persistent Injury Problems: A Common Enemy for Howe
Eddie Howe’s time at St. James’ Park has been marked by great tactics and attacking flair, but he has also been plagued by injuries that just won’t go away. From the start of the season, the team has had to deal with a lot of problems that have challenged their depth and strength. Because Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento, two of the best fullbacks, were not available, Howe had to make do with what he had in Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cup games.
Up front, things have been just as hard. Nick Woltemade has done a great job as the only striker, but the club is missing a dynamic partner because Yoane Wissa’s knee problems have kept him out of the game. Midfield stars like Jacob Ramsey and Will Osula have had to spend time on the treatment table, which has thrown off their rhythm at important times. Anthony Gordon, the exciting winger who has become a fan favourite, has also been hurt and missed important games because of a chronic hip condition.
These problems have not only hurt results; they have also pushed Howe to constantly change and evolve like a tactician focusing on a Live Crazy Time game. The recent 3-1 loss against Brentford was a good example of the toll, with some players walking off the pitch and others watching from the stands. The team really needs to beat Pep Guardiola’s club, but the question is: can the medical staff get the reinforcements they need to turn things around?
Rays of Light: Four Important Returns Are Coming
It looks like luck may finally be on the side of the Toon Army. Reliable sources say that four key players are getting closer to being fully healthy, which might change Newcastle’s fortunes for the Manchester City game. This fourfold surge could give a team that has become tired from relying too much on a small set of players new life.
Joelinton, the Brazilian dynamo whose versatility anchors the midfield, had a worrying exit in the first half against Brentford. Dango Outtara’s careless challenge left him bleeding, but tests showed that he only had a little cut and no damage to his bones. Not going to Brazil’s international call-up has given the 29-year-old more time to recover. He is still being closely watched, but he is anticipated to be back in the lineup rested and ready to go. His return would bring back that important mix of toughness and creativity that has been sorely missed.
The defensive line needs Tino Livramento to come back much more. The teenage right-back has been out since he hurt his knee badly against Arsenal in September, which made the backline weaker. In the last few weeks, he has increased the number of training sessions he does, taking off the protective brace and getting back into match shape. Howe has said that the City game is a realistic goal for him, and he has said that Livramento is still “on track” to be available. His speed and calmness could be the difference against Manchester City’s fast assaults, giving balance to a team that has relied too much on deputies.
Anthony Gordon hurt his hip before the Champions League match against Athletic Club, and it got worse soon after. He missed the Brentford loss and England’s international matches. The coaching staff called it a “minor knock,” and they think the time off has been enough for recuperation. This week, Gordon will also have his last tests, same like Joelinton. However, there is a lot of hope that the 24-year-old speedster will be able to play against the visitors at the Etihad. He hasn’t been direct or a threat to score in a long time, and bringing him back could open up the vast areas that City regularly uses.
Lewis Hall is also good news, but his hamstring problem has hindered him from playing recently. He is a talented left-back. As Hall gets fitter, he is expected to get his starting spot back against City, which is a big boost since Dan Burn is about to be suspended for too many bookings. Hall’s progressive passing and overlapping runs have been a big part of Newcastle’s build-up play. His preparedness means that the fluid fullback dynamic that marked last season’s highs is back.
Of course, these changes aren’t certain. Football is fragile, so one wrong step could stop progress. But if all four make it through the week without being hurt, Howe will have a lot of choices for his team, which is very different from the patched-together teams of the past few weeks.
Setback for the striker: Wissa’s debut is delayed again
In the midst of good news about injuries, there is still a shadow over the forward line. The £55 million summer signing from Brentford, Yoane Wissa, is still the elephant in the room. The Congolese international was brought in to improve the offence with his speed, strength, and finishing. However, he has not yet played in a competitive Magpies match. An injury to his posterior cruciate ligament while on international duty with DR Congo just days after he arrived has turned what should have been a thrilling integration into a long-running story.
At first, it looked like the return would happen in October, but caution has won out. Howe and the fitness crew, who have been hurt by prior quick comebacks, are adamant about a careful rehabilitation approach. Wissa has moved on to training on grass, and his knee is doing well. Now the focus is on getting his sharpness and endurance back. There is talk of an early December date for his first game, which means he will miss the City game and the Champions League trip to Marseille in the middle of the week.
People are now looking forward to the away game against Everton in mid-December as a possible reveal. This longer “pre-season” period, which is needed because of the messed-up Brentford exit and the injury that followed, is meant to make sure Wissa is ready to go without risking more time off. Even if it’s annoying, it shows that Howe’s long-term attitude is to invest in players who can keep playing at a high level, not just make quick fixes. Woltemade has done well in the meanwhile, scoring important goals, but putting him alongside Wissa’s x-factor might take Newcastle’s pressing style to the next level.
The delay hurts a team that needs more firepower to deal with City’s possession dominance, but it also gives them time to work out the details of what will be a game-changing addition.
January Horizons: Smit Becomes Target for Midfield Maestro
As the injury fog starts to clear, it’s hard not to think about the January transfer window, when new sporting director Ross Wilson will have a chance to reset things. The former architect for Nottingham Forest and Southampton has a track record of finding hidden gems, having arranged deals for Elliot Anderson and Virgil van Dijk in the past. Wilson’s job is clear: search Europe for undervalued players who can thrive under Howe’s guidance, adding youth and skill to the team.
Kees Smit, a 19-year-old AZ Alkmaar midfielder, has started a bidding war across Europe. Newcastle’s interest, which was first heard about in October, has become stronger as scouts have been pleased by his calmness and vision. Smit plays as a deep-lying playmaker, and when he was younger, people compared him to Kevin De Bruyne because of how well he passes and makes decisions under pressure. Ronald Koeman, the coach of the Dutch national team, has even compared him to Pedri of Barcelona, saying that he is good at positioning himself and staying calm in high-pressure situations.
According to club evaluations, the Eredivisie prodigy, who has two senior caps for the Netherlands Under-21 team, has a “very high ceiling.” His recent form includes a match-winning goal and important assists in AZ’s league wins, which is why big clubs like Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Real Madrid are interested in him. Still, Smit’s desire to push himself in a high league works in Newcastle’s favour since it gives them Premier League minutes that Spanish or German benches might not be able to promise.
AZ Alkmaar, feeling the excitement, has set a club-record asking price of more than £22 million, which would be more than they have ever sold a player for. If the price is right, the Dutch team won’t stop a player from leaving. They will even include a sell-on provision to protect future revenues. Newcastle is taking a calculated risk by paying a fee that puts a burden on their budget but gets them a long-term asset that can play in the midfield with Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali.
Wilson’s plan fits wonderfully here: he wants to find “European gems” who can grow on Tyneside. Smit’s technical skills could help with the creativity issues that have come up in recent draws, giving Howe a flexible option during the Champions League grind. Even though Newcastle faces tough competition from Europe’s best teams, the promise of guaranteed playing time and Howe’s success with young players like Alexander Isak could make a difference.
