Newcastle United issue injury update on Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff & Sven Botman ahead of Man Utd clash

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock's injuries aren't long-term - but is unable to provide a return date.

The midfield pair haven't featured since the 2-0 defeat at AFC Bournemouth before the international break and a result missed back-to-back matches against Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.

The Magpies host Manchester United at St James' Park on Saturday evening with neither player expected to return.

"Sean and Joe aren't long-term injuries," said Howe. "We're hopeful we can get them back. The problem is, two or three weeks at this stage seems a like a lifetime because of the amount of games. At any other stage of the season, it wouldn't have been too bad.

"Very difficult to give you a definitive time on both players but they're not too bad."

Howe also revealed Sven Botman's knee is “reacting well” to individual training as the Dutchman looks to avoid surgery. Botman hasn't featured since scoring his first goal for the club during the 8-0 win at Sheffield United in September.

Howe said: “He’s not training with us at the moment. He’s building up very slowly, he’s building up his load to make sure we don’t hit the knee with too much.

"At the moment, it’s reacting well with the work that he’s doing. We hope that continues and he’s such a big player for us. We’d love to get him back.”

United will be without 11 players for the visit of Man United, who are without seven of their first-team stars.

“We want to get through the month, we want to do well. I still think we’ve got a very good team on the pitch, I’ve said that all through this injury position we’re in. Yes, we have some youth in it but we still have a very good team."

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