Newcastle United are dealing with a major defensive injury crisis in the build-up to the Carabao Cup final.

The Magpies have been left reeling by the results of a scan that has ruled Lewis Hall out for the rest of the season. As reported by Chronicle Live on March 3, Sven Botman failed behind the scenes fitness tests and it is now reported that he too will go under the knife, curtailing his dream of facing Liverpool a week on Sunday.

Both Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento also suffered slight knocks in the FA Cup defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion but we understand that neither are in danger of missing the Wembley showpiece. Both defenders trained yesterday at the Academy.

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And that means that Newcastle won't look to recall Lloyd Kelly from a loan stint at Juventus with Eddie Howe confident that he has enough cover at centre-back and left-back without taking such a drastic measure. Kelly is set to be sold to Juve at the end of the season and the Serie A side need only to qualify for one of the European competitions to seal the £20million deal.

Howe has Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth as options at centre-half and Trippier, Livramento, Burn, Krafth and Matt Targett can all play left-back.

Speaking about the loss of Hall, who has endured an ankle injury, Howe told Sky Sports: "It’s a nasty injury so we need to make sure he’s treated right and hopefully he’s back to full strength for next season. But he’s a strong character.

"Lewis has been particularly hit by the news and the timing of it. It’s been particularly tough for him with the cup final just around the corner and also England on the horizon."

To compound Newcastle's defensive woes, Anthony Gordon will be banned for the Carabao Cup after his red card against the Seagulls earned him a three-match ban. Howe said: "That left side for us has been a constant source of creativity for us this year so it’s a big blow — both players have been outstanding.

"Yeah, I don’t quite know how to put a positive spin on it, but I’ll try, it’s an opportunity for other players, and we will just have to try and find a solution. Our challenge now is to regroup — and we will."

Kelly played 90 minutes for Juventus on Monday night and kept a clean sheet against Verona. It was a welcome win for the Turin side after they crashed out of the Coppa Italia and Champions League and moved them back into the top four, six points off leaders Inter.

Juve have an obligation to buy Kelly for £12million plus a potential £5.4m in add-ons should they qualify for any European competition this season. The Italian side paid a £3m loan fee to prise him from Newcastle in the winter transfer window.