Everton are ‘dangerously close’ to Newcastle postponement claims Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe has admitted that Newcastle are ‘dangerously close’ to having to postpone their game against Everton on Thursday night (December 30).
The Geordies are suffering a covid outbreak amongst the camp and lost some more of their key players in last nights (December 27) 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the Premier League.
The Toon named one less substitute prior to the match as well as two goalkeepers to really stress their crisis.
Newcastle then went on to lose Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson during the game as they were forced off with injuries.
Howe told Mail Online: “I believe it’s 13 plus a goalkeeper to have enough players for a game. We’re going to be dangerously close to that number if there’s COVID in the camp.
“We are stretched, and it is a difficult moment for us. The lads gave everything, but we are thin on the ground in terms of bodies.”
Delight
It’s more good news for Everton over Christmas. The Toffees could now have their third game postponed due to the covid outbreak.
Rafa Benitez will be delighted with the time he has got to work with his Everton players.
The Spaniard has so much more time to put his stamp on the team, essential as the Blues could find themselves in a relegation scrap if they don’t turn their season around.
It may be difficult for the fans to have their traditional festive football fix snatched away from them, but they should be more than repaid when play resumes for the Blues.
Benitez’ side should be out of the traps quickly when they eventually get back underway and it’s important they do. The whole squad should be physically and mentally rested and have no excuse to come out firing.
Anything other than a positive result would be a huge morale destroyer at Goodison Park as the second half of the season gets underway.
In other Everton news, Farhad Moshiri requestions wide-scale Everton review this season.