Newcastle United have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of their midweek meeting with Chelsea.
The Magpies travel to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday (kick-off 8pm) to take on the Blues in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.
Eddie Howe could be bringing a threadbare squad with him to west London, though, after two key players sustained injuries in the first half of the Premier League encounter with Fulham on Saturday.
Fabian Schar, who clutched the back of his leg after making a run for the ball, was forced off the pitch in the 13th minute and replaced by Emil Krafth. The Switzerland international had just returned from a hamstring injury he suffered during the 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth in November.
Joelinton came off with a knock and was replaced by Lewis Miley in the 35th minute to join Newcastle’s already lengthy list of absentees.
Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson, Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock and Javier Manquillo are all on the treatment table, while Sandro Tonali is serving a ten-month suspension for breaching betting rules.
In a boost for Newcastle, Sven Botman took his place on the bench at St. James’ Park on Saturday for the first time since September, but the Dutchman was not deemed ready to enter the game following a three-month layoff.
Kieran Trippier will return from suspension, although the right-back did take a knock against AC Milan that saw him forced off the pitch on Wednesday.
Newcastle head into next week’s knockout tie with Chelsea on the back of a win, beating the Cottagers 3-0. The Blues also returned to winning ways on Saturday, grabbing a much-need 2-0 win over Sheffield United at home.
