Eddie Howe reveals hidden Newcastle United injury — it explains surprise Sunderland decision
One of Newcastle United’s wingers has been nursing a knee injury.
Anthony Elanga has come under fire for his performance in Newcastle United’s Tyne-Wear derby defeat to Sunderland.
The 23-year-old joined from Nottingham Forest for £55million in the summer and despite his Premier League experience has struggled to hit the ground running on Tyneside.
That is why Elanga was a surprise starter against the Black Cats and it was another opportunity he passed up after being hooked on the hour mark alongside Anthony Gordon.
Eddie Howe on Anthony Elanga’s early struggles at Newcastle United
Elanga isn’t the only summer signing that has failed to make an impact, with Jacob Ramsey - a £39m recruit from Aston Villa - restricted to just four starts so far. He didn’t even make it off the bench at Stadium of Light.
When asked about their early struggles, Eddie Howe said: “Of course, we hope with every new player that they come in straight away, they play, they make the team better and everyone is happy.
“The reality is when you bring in that number of players, and I think you see it in other teams around the country and around the world football, when you bring in six players, the reality is not all six are going to adapt and contribute at the same rate and time.
“I back the players that we've signed and I'll say that continually. If I didn't believe it, I wouldn't. I think they will make a difference, but they may take a bit longer
“I think others have got to step up and grab their opportunities when they get them,” Howe added. “I've got no doubt that they've got the ability to do that. But of course, they need the right conditions to do it and they need to feel good and happy at their new club. I think they are. It's just a case of them growing into the team.
“You can look historically and you can look back at players that have played really well in the team now, who took time to adjust to the football club. I mean, I look at Joelinton's journey to the player that he is now and the time it took him and what he had to go through to grow into that.
“Obviously, we don't want that for any of our new signings, but it's just an example that it's never a straight line for any new player.”
Why Jacob Murphy hasn’t started any of the last three games
A tried and trusted member of Newcastle’s squad, many predicted Jacob Murphy to come into the starting XI considering the magnitude of the game, but he instead had to make do with coming off the bench.
Murphy hasn’t started any of the Magpies’ last three matches and according to Howe, that is in part due to the player nursing a knee problem.
Speaking ahead of the Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at home to Fulham, Howe said: “Jacob has had a knee problem we have been managing, so he has not been 100% fit."