Newcastle United official training ground update as £58m duo ruled out vs Fulham
Newcastle United remain without Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes for the Premier League clash at home to Fulham.
Wilson missed the opening four months of the season because of a back and hamstring issue. He returned at the end of November but after four substitute appearances suffered a setback.
The visit of Marco Silva’s side this afternoon will come too soon for the 32-year-old but he could be back in contention for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg clash against Arsenal on Wednesday and next weekend’s FA Cup fourth round visit to League One leaders Birmingham City.
United boss Eddie Howe explained: “No chance for this weekend. Callum is getting there.
“We have seen him in training this week, albeit not the whole session, but parts of it. And he looked good. But no, the plan is not to involve him this week. But there's a chance for the games following.”
Meanwhile, Barnes is still “two or three weeks” away, according to Howe. The 27-year-old sustained a muscle injury in the 3-1 FA Cup win over Bromley on January 12 and has missed the last three matches.
All being well, Barnes should at least return for the visit of Nottingham Forest to St James’ Park on February 23.
“Harvey is a little bit behind,” Howe continued. “I think he's going to be probably within the next two to three weeks.”
Newcastle light on attacking bodies
Newcastle sold Miguel Almiron to Atlanta United on Thursday and aren’t expected to sign a replacement during the remaining few days of the January transfer window.
Howe currently only has four fit senior forwards - Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and Will Osula until Wilson and Barnes return.
“Yes, we knew this window, barring something huge happen that we didn't expect, would be a window that we didn't recruit in,” Howe said on Friday. “I said that right from the outset and despite being linked with numerous players, that's still the case. We're not actively looking to bring players in.
“But hopefully the squad's in a decent place if we can get Callum and Harvey back fit and firing within a few weeks, I think the squad will look good. Obviously, they're not back yet and it might take a few weeks to bed them back in.