Harvey Barnes was forced off at half-time of Newcastle United’s 3-1 victory over Bromley in the FA Cup third round due to an unspecified muscular injury.
Eddie Howe confirmed he fears “losing” the 27-year-old winger for a period, after Barnes came off early during only his ninth start of the season and first since December 7.
While Joelinton being withdrawn in place of Bruno Guimaraes at the interval of the win over League Two Bromley was planned, Barnes was unable to continue after the break.
“Bruno and Joelinton was planned, as much as you can, but you can change your mind,” Howe said. “Harvey wasn’t planned. He felt a muscle problem. We had to withdraw him.”
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Joe Willock, Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Jacob Murphy were also left out of the squad entirely, having suffered from a ranging degree of muscular problems themselves in the aftermath of the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg victory over Arsenal.
“Joe felt something in training yesterday,” Howe said. “A muscular problem, not something we think is serious but enough not to take a risk with him. Similar with Alex, Sven and Jacob as well.”
Howe was asked about potential outgoings and, while he confirmed that he “hoped” and “expected” Martin Dubravka to stay beyond the end of the window, despite interest from Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab, the head coach suggested that he would prefer Matt Targett and other fringe players to remain on Tyneside.
“If we’ve lost Harvey today, that makes us even tighter with numbers,” Howe said. “I don’t think that’s even in my mind in terms of letting players go.”
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(Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
