Harvey Barnes: Newcastle winger out until new year with injury, says Eddie Howe

Eddie Howe, the Newcastle manager, is concerned about the availability of Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, two of his strikers. There is also uncertainty regarding the fitness of defender Sven Botman before their upcoming Premier League match against Burnley on Saturday. On a different note, there is good news for Harvey Barnes as he has not fractured his foot and will not need surgery.

Harvey Barnes will be out of action until next year due to a foot injury.

Barnes, 25, got injured during Newcastle’s 8-0 victory against Sheffield United in the Premier League on Sunday. He had to leave the pitch after just 12 minutes.

The English player will be out for three months, even though he didn’t break his foot.

Head coach Eddie Howe said: “We think he’s going to be out for around three months. No surgery required, which is good news, but his foot is now in a boot.

“It is an injury underneath his toe and he’s now started his recovery. I think he’s going to be quite sedate for a period of time because he’s got to rest the toe, he’s got to give it every chance to recover and then we’ll have to build him up slowly, so that’s why it’s the three months.”

Asked how England international Barnes had taken the news, Howe said: “He’s a very stable, level lad; he’s a great character.

“Yes, he’s hugely disappointed and frustrated because he wanted to show everybody what he could do here and wanted to contribute.

“He’s very recently a new dad, which is a great moment in his life.

“I always say when these things happen you have to try and draw the positives, and he’ll have the chance to be with his family maybe a bit more than he would have been.

“Things will settle down and then when he comes back, which will quickly be around the corner, he’ll have a big part to play for the rest of the season.”

Howe is worried about the fitness of Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, as well as defender Sven Botman, ahead of Saturday’s match against Burnley in the Premier League.

“Callum Wilson has very minor hamstring tightness,” he said. “We’ll give him every chance of being available. Same with Sven – we’ll make a late check on him.”

On Isak, Howe added: “He’s another one we’ll need to make a late check on. That’s the cost of having three games in a week – it’s usually the third game where these things build up.”