The latest news headlines from Newcastle United
Despite dropping points at the weekend, Newcastle United remains fourth in the Premier League table. The Magpies fought back to draw with Bournemouth but were handed a lifeline when Tottenham Hotspur was thrashed by Leicester City.
Eddie Howe’s side is now five points behind third place, but they have a game in hand on Manchester United. They will be hoping to get back on track when they face Liverpool this weekend, as the Reds have yet to win a Premier League match this season.
Here are the most recent St. James’ Park headlines…
Joe Willock a ‘major doubt’
Joe Willock, who was forced off in the first half against Bournemouth, could miss the Carabao Cup final next week. With less than ten minutes until halftime, the midfielder suffered a hamstring strain and was forced to be replaced by Anthony Gordon.
Willock appears set to miss their next match against Liverpool, but he faces a race against the clock to be fit for the trip to Wembley Stadium on February 26. The 23-year-old was one of three players taken off against West Ham due to injury, with Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin also suffering knocks, but both are expected to return soon.
“Miggy and Maxi, I don’t think are too bad,” Howe said after the weekend’s game. Miggy got his hand stamped, but we think he’ll be fine. Maxi was merely a knock. Joe, on the other hand, has gone off with hamstring problems, so we’ll have to see how he is.”
Willock has started all but two of Newcastle’s Premier League games this season and has appeared in all six of their Carabao Cup matches. The potential absence of the former Arsenal star could open the door for Bruno Guimaraes, who will return from suspension for the match against Manchester United.
Former Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton has been named head coach of Ghana. The announcement comes months after Otto Addo resigned following the World Cup.
Hughton left club football after being fired by Nottingham Forest in September 2021 to work as a technical advisor to Ghana’s coaching staff ahead of their World Cup qualifiers the following February. The 64-year-old was a member of the national team that finished last in Group H in Qatar, but he will now be in charge of the team as they prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.
Hughton was appointed as the first team coach at St. James’ Park under Kevin Keegan 15 years ago. The former defender was named caretaker manager twice over the next two seasons before being named permanent manager at the start of the 2009-10 season. Hughton was sacked in December 2010 after winning promotion back to the Premier League and went on to manage Birmingham City, Norwich City, and Brighton.
