Newcastle United will soon add three players to Eddie Howe's strongest matchday squad

Eddie Howe could be just a few games away from having a major boost to his Newcastle United squad options. Focus will soon switch to the January transfer window and potential new additions, but the Magpies head coach could receive some welcome early news.

Newcastle headed to Saudi Arabia for some warm weather training this week, and are hoping that can help Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier in their final stages of their recovery from injuries. Both were ruled out of the 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest, but Howe was hopeful of better news after the current international break.

Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles are now even closer to a return after lengthy spells on the sidelines recovering from ACL surgery, although the club will not rush them back. However, Emil Krafth and Dan Burn will definitely miss the game against West Ham. Here's the latest injury and suspension situation.

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Sven Botman

Injury: ACL

United are contining to be cautious on the Dutch defender's return from ACL surgery, although he is still on course for a winter comeback. He has made good progress but it could be at least another month before he is ready for action, will the Magpies understandably unwilling to rush any return.

What Howe has said: "We hope Sven can begin light training in the next few weeks. If we see him before the end of the year, that would be a bonus. We are probably looking at more like January."

Possible return date: Late December/early January

Callum Wilson

Injury: Back

Wilson has only played six games in 2024 and is yet to feature at all this season after hurting his back in pre-season. He return has been delayed several times, but after visiting the Aspetar hospital in Doha, he could be set for a return to the squad in the coming games.

What Howe has said: "He’s doing ok, he’s building his load again. There was no real injury but a feeling in his body he couldn't push as hard as he wanted to push and needs to push to play at this level. Physically you have to be perfect at this level. With the two-week gap, it probably makes sense to wait."

Possible return date: Late November

Kieran Trippier

Injury: Hamstring

The right-back has been out of action since limping out of the game with Everton in early October, but is another who could return after the international break. He has seen Tino Livramento perform well in his absence, with the defender earning an England call-up.

What Howe has said: "He has gone to seek treatment elsewhere but we don’t envisage his injury to be a big one and we hope he will be back, if not before the international break then after the international break, ahead, I think he is in the best frame of mind that I have seen him for a few months. I think he’s in a really good place currently."

Possible return date: Late November

Jamaal Lascelles

Injury: ACL

As is the case with Botman, United are keen to allow the club captain plenty of time to recovery from surgery on his ACL, with a return expect around the Christmas period. With Emil Krafth now injured, any defensive back-up would be welcome.

What Howe has said: "Hopefully, some good news is on the horizon with Lascelles and Botman, but until they're back fully, it's difficult to promise that."

Possible return date: Late December

Emil Krafth

Injury: Collarbone

The Sweden international suffered a suspected broken collarbone and could be out for around two months. It is a blow to United with the defender able to cover across the back four.

Possible return date: Mid-January

Dan Burn

Suspension: One game

The Blyth-born defender picked one a one-match ban after collecting his fifth booking of the season against Nottingham Forest. United were particularly aggrieved as they felt the play should have been stopped early for a foul on Tino Livramento.

What Howe has said: "It’s very rare you see me run to the fourth official but I thought Tino had been elbowed in the face and it was a clear free-kick, it wasn’t given and Dan paid the price for that really because he feels like he has to make the foul in that moment."

Possible return date: Crystal Palace (away), November 30