The injury update that could seal Newcastle United’s relegation fate
Newcastle United’s struggles since December have watched their lead over 18th-place Fulham shrink to three points. While there was slight optimism that they could stay afloat, injuries have taken a major toll on the club.
In addition to Fabian Schar and Javier Manquillo, Steve Bruce’s side being without striker Callum Wilson for an extended period of time seemed like the worst-case injury scenario for the Magpies. But, the latest medical update for the club could seal their fate as one of the three relegated clubs this season.
Miguel Almiron (knee) and Allan Saint-Maximin (groin) left the match vs. Wolves with knocks and fans feared the worst. Today, the club announced that both players will be out until April. The other player to exit the draw vs. Wolves due to injury was Emil Krafth and the defender will return to training this week.
Without Wilson, Almiron, and Saint-Maximin, Newcastle United don’t seem to have enough firepower to stay afloat. The March schedule includes three winnable matches: West Brom, Aston Villa, and Brighton. But, without their starting front three for all of those fixtures, it’s tough to imagine Newcastle winning even one or two of those. Poor performances in March have largely doomed NUFC in their last two relegation seasons.
Newcastle United likely won’t be able to survive this latest injury update.
Almiron is the club’s engine and helps push the tempo with his work rate, even when the club is stagnant. Saint-Maximin is an explosive player that can change the match in an instant. Without ASM due to injury and COVID-19, the Magpies struggled mightily to create offense.
A major concern for Wilson and Saint-Maximin will be re-aggravating their injuries once they return as hamstring and groin injuries are prone to do. Almiron also takes a lot of physical contact when he’s driving at defenders and he will need his knee at full strength. The strength of schedule in April is also much higher than March and there’s no guarantee any of the three players is at full strength.
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Obviously, crazier things have happened and Newcastle could somehow pull out some miracle results. But, with Fulham’s form trending the opposite direction of the banged-up Magpies, we could be seeing second division football next season.