Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento are among the many five Newcastle United players who will miss Newcastle United’s clash with Arsenal.
The Gunners are level on points with Manchester City on the summit of the Premier League but can move clear again on Saturday night with Pep Guardiola’s side in FA Cup semi-final motion this weekend.
Newcastle’s campaign is drifting towards an uneventful conclusion sat in 14th place, clear of a relegation scrap but well off the pace within the battle for European qualification unless there may be a swift uplift of their form having lost their last three on the bounce.
Gordon’s future within the northeast has come under scrutiny with Arsenal and Bayern Munich among the many clubs focused on signing the England winger this summer.
Gordon is known to be keen to go away St James’ Park and missed last week’s defeat to Bournemouth with a hip injury.
Eddie Howe has insisted his absence has nothing to do with mounting speculation over his future, confirming on Friday the identical hip issue will rule him out of the trip to north London.
‘Anthony won’t make the sport. He hasn’t trained this week,’ Howe told a press conference.
‘Again, not a serious injury, but not in time for this game. Hopefully the following one.’
Livramento, one other player considered on Arsenal’s shortlist of summer transfer targets, was forced off last weekend with a groin problem.
Newcastle are waiting to find if the right-back will now miss the remaining of the season.
‘Tino went for a scan initially. We don’t think it’s a foul injury. We’ll wait and see whether he plays again this season,’ Howe said.
‘He’s as a result of have one other scan on the weekend to find out the total extent of his day out. He could be very level-headed, very stable mentally.
‘He’s had a frustrating season. He had such an excellent season last season; he was outstanding, was fit and available and really contributed to what we delivered.
‘This 12 months has been different. That’s the lifetime of a footballer, I’m afraid. He’s never been capable of get that run of games to actually find his best form.
‘He’s an excellent player, we just hope he has a greater run across the corner.’
The Magpies will even be without Joelinton who is about to serve a two-game ban for selecting up 10 yellow cards this season.
Fabian Schar meanwhile was in ljne to return from an ankle injury but underwent minor foot surgery that pushed him back a month. The centre-half is anticipated to be available for the ultimate games of the season.
Emil Krafth stays out with a knee injury.
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