Local lad inspiring injury-hit Newcastle’s excellent run of form and should be considered for England selection
At some point this season, Newcastle United were going to be stretched. They were going to lose important players, injuries and suspensions would bite and the lack of strength in depth in their squad would be exposed.
That was the theory – or should it be fear – anyway. Newcastle, though, have already lost the spine of their team to injuries of varying severity, but instead of losing momentum, they have gained it.
The comfortable and drama-free victory over Burnley made it five games unbeaten, five clean sheets in a row and three wins in the space of six days to push Newcastle back into the European mix.
Eddie Howe’s side welcome Kylian Mbappe and Paris St-Germain to St James’ Park on Wednesday night and will be without their best centre-back, Sven Botman, their midfield powerhouse Joelinton, the dynamic Joe Willock, their most reliable source of goals, Callum Wilson, and new winger Harvey Barnes.