'His glutes' - Newcastle United fresh injury blow confirmed ahead of Everton clash

Newcastle United are sweating on the fitness of Lewis Miley ahead of Thursday’s Carabao Cup trip to Everton.

The 20-year-old midfielder missed Sunday’s 2-0 win at Crystal Palace due to a muscle injury. He was one of four United players ruled out of the trip to Selhurst Park, with Ewen Jaouen (hamstring), Tino Livramento (knee) and Matias Fernandez-Pardo (illness) also out.

While Jaouen and Livramento’s injuries will keep them out of the upcoming matches, Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle is hoping to be boosted by the returns of Miley and Fernandez-Pardo sooner rather than later.

The Magpies welcomed Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey back to the matchday squad on Sunday while William Osula, Amar Dedic, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar all returned to the starting line-up following their respective injury struggles.

“It was good, really important that we’re getting the lads back on track and we can give them game minutes,” Jaissle said after the win at Palace. “They will still need time for them to be 100% back as they’re out for weeks and months. We need also time to bring [Elanga and Ramsey] in from the start.”

Matthias Jaissle provides Lewis Miley injury update

Miley had been playing at right-back in the absence of Dedic and Livramento but may now find it more difficult to get back into the side with Dedic back and fresh competition in midfield with Joelinton also returning.

When asked about Miley’s injury, Jaissle said: "Unfortunately, he was not able to be in the squad [at Crystal Palace] due to an issue with his glutes. But hopefully, we will bring him back as soon as possible.

"The medical department is doing a great job."

Newcastle face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the last-16 of the Carabao Cup on Thursday night before hosting David Moyes’ side at St James’ Park in the Premier League next Monday night.

Sunday’s win at Palace took Newcastle into the top half of the Premier League table and just two points off the top five with eight games played. Newcastle beat Everton 4-1 on their one and only visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium but have lost each of their last two encounters against the Toffees at St James’ Park.