Eddie Howe reveals Newcastle suffered an injury setback in FA Cup win over Bromley
EDDIE HOWE has revealed that Harvey Barnes was withdrawn at the half-time interval of Newcastle United’s FA Cup win over Bromley because he had suffered a muscular injury that will have to be assessed in the next couple of days.
The decision to replace Joelinton with Bruno Guimaraes at the half-time break was pre-planned, with Howe wanting to give both of his Brazilians 45 minutes on the field.
However, Barnes’ departure was not in the pre-match script, with the winger complaining of a muscular issue that led to him being substituted for Anthony Gordon.
Barnes’ injury will be investigated in the next 48 hours, with Howe hoping the wide-man has not suffered a problem that will keep him on the sidelines for a prolonged spell.
“Bruno and Joelinton was planned,” explained Howe. “It was pre-planned as much as you can, because you can always change your mind, but it’s something I always wanted to do with those two.
“It was different with Harvey Barnes – that wasn’t planned. He felt a muscle problem, so we had to withdraw him at half-time.”
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Howe also revealed that Joe Willock had suffered a muscular issue in training on Saturday that led to him being left out of the matchday squad for Newcastle’s third-round win, which was secured thanks to goals from Lewis Miley, Gordon and Will Osula.
Willock was one of a number of regular starters who were not involved as the Magpies saw off League Two Bromley, but Howe is hoping the midfielder could be available for Wednesday’s league meeting with Wolves.
“Joe just felt something in training yesterday,” said the Magpies boss. “It was a muscular problem. I don’t think it’s serious, but it was enough for us not to take the risk with him today. It’s similar with Alex, Sven and Jacob – it’s similar with all four of them.”
The Newcastle boss listened to the home support serenading Martin Dubravka in the closing stages of his side’s victory, imploring the Slovakian to stay on Tyneside rather than move to Saudi Arabia this month, and he remains hopeful that will be the outcome of ongoing talks.
“There’s no fresh update with Martin, but I don’t expect there to be one,” said Howe. “Touch wood, I hope Martin will stay. I don’t think that will change.
“We’ve had discussions about his future, but I think we’re very relaxed. As I said previously, he’s never said that he wanted to leave.
“I think he’s enjoying playing and enjoying the moment that the team is in. So, I don’t expect any major announcement. We hope everything will die down, and he will be very much part of our future.”
