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The Magpies will travel to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night off the back of a 3-0 victory over 10-man Fulham at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
After Raul Jimenez was sent off, second-half goals from Lewis Miley, Miguel Almiron and Dan Burn secured the three points for the home side who move up to sixth in the Premier League.
However, Eddie Howe’s team, already ravaged by injuries, were dealt two huge blows in the first-half as defender Fabian Schar and midfielder Joelinton were forced off.
The centre-back had played every minute of Newcastle’s Premier League and Champions League campaign so far with the Brazil star is a key cog in Howe’s side.
Furthermore, it was revealed ahead of kick-off that striker Alexander Isak had also picked up a groin injury that ruled him out of the Fulham clash.
Asked about the fitness of Schar and Joelinton, Howe said post-match: ‘It’s difficult to tell.
‘They don’t look too bad. But they had to come off so it doesn’t look good for the short term.
‘I think Fabby’s is a glute problem, I don’t think it’s a hamstring. And Joey’s possibly might be a hamstring. Two huge players for us.’
Aside from the aforementioned trio, Newcastle have eight players out injured, not to mention the suspended Sandro Tonali, and as the problems mount up and the games come thick and fast, this could hand a much needed advantage to Chelsea.
‘I don’t think it takes much of an internal investigation. The problem we’ve had is because we’ve had injuries to start with,’ Howe added.
‘The early ones we picked up, it meant our squad has just not managed the games. It’s been impossible to, we’ve had to pick the same players continually and eventually those players with the load that they’re playing under will break, so I think we’ve just been a victim of circumstance.
‘Don’t get me wrong, there have been mistakes made and there will always be mistakes made medically because it’s that kind of profession. You’re not going to get every assessment right.
‘A lot of the time, you’re in the hands of the specialist. But the weight of games we’ve had – and it’s still unrelenting for us – we just haven’t recovered properly.’
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