Newcastle battling to field a full team

NEWCASTLE United are “dangerously close” to being unable to field a full team for their Premier League trip to Everton tomorrow, manager Eddie Howe said.

Newcastle were only able to name eight substitutes, including two goalkeepers, instead of the maximum nine for Monday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United, with the squad depleted due to injuries and Covid-19 cases.

They then saw forwards Callum Wilson and Allan SaintMaximin leave the field due to injury and their status for tomorrow’s game is unclear.

“The lads gave everything but we are thin on the ground in bodies,” Howe told Sky Sports.

“These are difficult moments for us. I believe it’s 13 plus a goalkeeper (players required for a game to proceed). We’re going to be dangerously close to that number.

“Callum’s injury doesn’t look good. Just the way he went down with no one around him. Allan, I don’t think is as serious.”

Newcastle have won only one of their eight games under Howe and are second bottom of the Premier League.

■ Meanwhile, Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba is set to miss Sunday’s league trip to Real Mallorca after testing positive for Covid-19, the LaLiga club said yesterday.

The 32-year-old is the third Barca player to be infected during the Christmas period after defenders Clement Lenglet and Dani Alves returned positive tests on Monday.

“Jordi Alba has tested positive for Covid-19, ruling him out of Tuesday afternoon’s training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper ... the player is in good health and self-isolating at home,” the club said in a statement.

A much-improved Barca, who held Seville to 1-1 draw last week in the league, are seventh in the standings with 28 points from 18 games.