Newcastle United handed double injury set-back ahead of Chelsea clash with duo facing longer spells out

Newcastle United fans have been treated to plenty of high points in the early part of the season but they currently find themselves top of the table that no team wants to lead… the injury table.

Overall the Magpies are seventh in the Premier League table following Saturday’s lacklustre 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth - delivered by an exhausted and stretched side ravaged by injuries.

The injury crisis threatens to derail most of Newcastle’s excellent early season work and in truth the international break couldn’t have come at a better time for Eddie Howe and his men as he desperately aims to get a number of his players fit and back firing on the pitch. 

However, Howe’s men have very little good news to report on the injury front heading into the Chelsea match as updates emerge on two of Newcastle’s recent absentees, Callum Wilson and Sven Botman. Wilson is Newcastle’s top scorer in the league with seven strikes and he has been one of the club’s most consistent performers since his arrival back in 2020.

But a recurring theme throughout his time at St James’ Park has been his misfortune with injuries to his hamstring and in this particular instance he is expected to miss at least six weeks, according to The Telegraph. It also rules him out of games against the likes of Manchester United, PSG and Everton. Another key player missing from the Newcastle set-up is former Lille defender Botman. The Dutch footballer was seen as a key component in Newcastle’s success last season as they held the best defensive record in the entire Premier League.

He played in all of the five opening games in the league and even registered his first goal against Sheffield United in his most recent appearance. The Telegraph adds that Howe is no closer to finding out a return date for his defensive star. The Magpies medical staff are still working to get to the source of the problem with no return date set for the player. Surgery has yet to be ruled out which could set his recovery back further.