(Reuters) – Newcastle United is gearing up to face a formidable challenge as they seek to recover from their Champions League elimination, with several key players unavailable, manager Eddie Howe informed ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Fulham.
Kieran Trippier will be absent from the home game due to suspension, while a number of regulars are still nursing injuries, Howe told reporters on Friday.
“We are now getting a couple of players back but not in their best physical condition,” he said.
“We will see how Anthony Gordon is today. Joe Willock is in a phase where he has had a couple of injections, a difficult injury but he won’t be back this side of January.
“It’s the same now with Harvey Barnes, he won’t need an operation but we are waiting to see if he comes back or not.”
Newcastle, who are seventh in the league, have lost their last three matches in all competitions, including Wednesday’s defeat to AC Milan that ended their first Champions League campaign in 20 years.
“There is some pain and anguish, but that can’t stay around in professional football. The turnaround is so quick and now the focus is on Fulham,” Howe said.
“It is going to be a big test to our ability to respond. There will be a narrative that will be negative. We have to override that.”
Tenth-placed Fulham go into the game on the back of two 5-0 wins over Nottingham Forest and West Ham United.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)
