Eddie Howe issues Harvey Barnes message after Newcastle United 'criticism'

Eddie Howe says Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes needs time in order to get back to his peak levels.

The £38million summer signing from Leicester City was starting only his second game for the Magpies when he picked up a toe injury during the 8-0 win at Sheffield United in September.

Barnes was sidelined for four months before marking his comeback with the equaliser in the 4-4 draw at home to Luton Town on February 3.

Since then, the 26-year-old has made one start and four substitute appearances, his latest being the FA Cup fifth round penalty win at Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday.

He was introduced in the 62nd minute at Ewood Park and attracted some criticism on social media after missing a golden chance to win the game in extra-time before seeing his spot-kick saved in the penalty shootout.

His situation has been likened to Anthony Gordon, who initially struggled to make an impact after joining from Everton in January 2022, but Howe believes it is different.

The United head coach said: "It's a slightly different situation. Harvey came in and in pre-season and at the start of the season, he'd done really, really well. He scored against Aston Villa and he looked like he would have an incredible season for us. But that's football for you. One moment and he's out of action for a long period of time.

"It's more related to a lack of training in terms of seeing the very best Harvey. He needs to train for a period of time. He is a goalscorer and a scorer of important goals in his career and he will do the same here. He has already shown he will score goals regularly if given the opportunities to do so.

"He is a very important member of our squad and brings a real goal threat from that wide position so we all need to, with any player coming back from a long term injury, support them, wait and they will produce their best."

Howe says Barnes isn't alone when it comes to players re-finding their match sharpness with Alexander Isak, Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson returning from injury in the last week.

"I think this is the situation that we're in," he told NewcastleWorld. "We have players back fit and available but they do need time to get back to their best.

"I probably speak more educated than anyone on this, I had injuries galore in my career and came back at different times, some with less training than other times but it always took me, and I knew within myself, weeks to get back to my best levels.

"It's just that repetition of training and playing before you find your rhythm again. And I think we have players in that boat but it doesn't mean they can't contribute or play well and we can't win games, it's just to get back to their absolute best I think you need that period of training behind you."