Newcastle are reportedly set to make a bid for Santos star Marcos Leonardo, who has caught the attention of European giants such as Real Madrid and Roma.

Despite interest from these clubs, the Magpies are counting on the appeal of consistent playing time in the Premier League to secure the forward.

Under Eddie Howe, Newcastle have had a decent start to the season, winning six of their first 12 matches and demonstrating resilience in the Champions League. However, injuries have posed a significant challenge for them, prompting the club’s hierarchy to look to the January transfer window to strengthen their squad.

The Express reports that 20-year-old Brazilian prospect Marcos Leonardo is on their radar, and preparations for an offer are underway.

Leonardo has bagged 13 goals in 27 Brasiliero Seria A starts in 2023, he also managed 13 goals in the previous campaign.

The Magpies already have Brazilian talents in their ranks with Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. This duo can help mentor the Brazilian youngster if he does indeed make a move to St James’ Park in the January transfer window.

As previously reported, Callum Wilson could be facing several weeks on the sideline, with Alexander Isak presumed to be ready to go again after the international break.

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As Gareth Southgate prepares for the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, it raises the question of who could step in as the primary striker if Harry Kane is unavailable.

Undoubtedly, Kane holds the title of England’s number one striker, backed by his outstanding form with Bayern Munich, boasting 21 goals in 15 Bundesliga and Champions League appearances.

Who will be Kane’s England understudy at Euro 2024?

Ollie Watkins

Ollie Watkins, displaying impressive form with 11 goals for Aston Villa in the 2023/24 season, has caught the attention not only of his club but also of England manager Gareth Southgate as Euro 2024 approaches. The former Exeter City striker’s goal-scoring prowess has become particularly prominent under the management of Unai Emery.

Ivan Toney

Ivan Toney, representing Brentford in the current season without yet making an appearance, has had a limited England career with zero goals in one cap. His brief stint on the international stage includes a nine-minute substitute appearance in a Euro 2024 qualifying win against Ukraine, where he replaced Harry Kane.

However, Toney’s opportunities might have been more substantial if not for an eight-month suspension related to betting rules in May.

Eddie Nketiah

Eddie Nketiah’s current club form of five goals in league and cup competitions for Arsenal in the 2023/24 season is quite a steady return. The 24-year-old holds an England career record of zero goals in one cap.

Notably, he achieved his 100th Premier League appearance for Arsenal recently, but a recent injury has led to his exclusion from Gareth Southgate’s latest squad.

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Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with four goals in league and cup competitions for Everton in the 2023-24 season, boasts an England career record of four goals in 11 caps.

Despite a hiatus of more than two years from wearing the England shirt due to injury issues, Calvert-Lewin has made a notable impact since returning to action. His contributions include scoring four times this season, including the decisive winner against West Ham last month.

Callum Wilson

Callum Wilson has demonstrated fine form with seven goals in league and cup competitions this term. Despite being older than Harry Kane at 31, Wilson’s impressive performance earned him a recall to Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad.

Unfortunately, injury troubles have once again forced his withdrawal from the squad.

Wilson holds an England career record of two goals in nine caps.

Tammy Abraham

Tammy Abraham is yet to make an appearance for Roma in all competitions this season due to an injury.

With an England career record of three goals in 11 caps, Abraham’s last appearance for the national team was almost 18 months ago.

Abraham has previously showcased his goal-scoring prowess with 25 goals in 75 Serie A appearances.

The post England’s attacking depth: Who will be Harry Kane’s understudy at Euro 2024? appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson and Sven Botman are facing significant setbacks in their injury recoveries.

Wilson, who sustained a hamstring injury during the Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund on November 7, missed subsequent matches, withdrew from the England squad, and is now set for an extended period on the sidelines.

According to The Telegraph, Wilson is expected to be out for the next six weeks, delaying his return to first-team action until the end of December.

In addition, there are mounting concerns about the fitness of Dutch centre-back Botman.

Newcastle are apprehensive that Botman may need surgery to address a troublesome knee injury, further complicating the defensive situation for the club.

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Manager Eddie Howe’s concerns are unlikely to be alleviated ahead of a challenging fixture schedule as only one injured player, Sweden international Alexander Isak, is set to return to action after the international break.

The Magpies are in serious trouble ahead of the very demanding festive period in English football.

A graph published on X by @playmaker_EN showcases that Newcastle is currently dealing with the most injuries out of anybody else in the Premier League with thirteen out.

Howe will have a bad selection headache as his team prepares for a bundle of tricky fixtures on the horizon.

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Eddie Howe’s injury problems at Newcastle are mounting up and the Magpies boss will not be happy to hear that Callum Wilson will be out of action for at least six weeks. 

That is according to the Telegraph, who reports that the striker looks likely to be out until the New Year and in addition to that, Sven Botman’s injury is believed to be worse than originally feared.

Wilson was taken off at half-time in Newcastle’s 2-0 Champions League defeat at Borussia Dortmund earlier this month and missed the match with Bournemouth at the weekend.

The forward is the Magpies’ joint top goalscorer this season with seven goals and his absence will not only be a big blow to Howe but to England as well, as the 31-year-old had to pull out of this week’s European Championship qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

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As for Botman, the report states that Botman might not need surgery on his current knee injury but the Tyneside club have no idea when he’ll be back. The defender’s knee problem hasn’t cleared up and therefore, the Dutch star will not be able to play for some time.

Both players are key for Howe at Newcastle and are part of a long list of absentees at present for the English coach.

Newcastle have a tough run of fixture coming up and with the injuries they have, the Magpies could suffer a lot over the upcoming period.

The post Newcastle’s injury crisis hits new low as key player out for six weeks appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea’s in-form player, Cole Palmer, has earned a senior international call-up for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers, along with Manchester City’s Rico Lewis. This selection comes as England grapples with several injuries among their squad.

Palmer’s exceptional club performance has earned him a place in Gareth Southgate’s senior squad for the matches against Malta and North Macedonia. He will be joined by his former teammate, Rico Lewis, who is also a graduate of the Manchester City academy, and Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.

Since making his summer move to Stamford Bridge the 21-year-old has found the back of the net on four occasions as well as setting up teammates twice, in just six starts for his new club in the Premier League.

This is how the new England squad shapes up:

An update to the #ThreeLions squad as @EzriKonsa, Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis receive their first senior call-ups…

— England (@England) November 13, 2023

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Despite having already secured their spot in the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany next summer, Southgate’s preparations for the remaining qualifying games have been disrupted by a series of injuries.

James Maddison, Callum Wilson, and Lewis Dunk have withdrawn from the squad due to various injuries, while the participation of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham remains uncertain.

The post In-form Chelsea man earns England call-up following injury withdrawals appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Eddie Howe has revealed that Callum Wilson will not leave for international duty after picking up an injury.

Newcastle lost their second game on the bounce on Saturday evening 2-0 against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Howe has not only had to deal with a congested fixture list but has to also contend with an injury-stricken side with several key players missing.

Unfortunately, Miguel Almiron picked up an injury during the loss with the Newcastle manager confirming that it is a ‘hamstring problem’.

Howe also delivered more bad news as he revealed that Wilson would not be leaving on international duty.

“Callum won’t travel with England. He’s going to be out for a number of weeks,” he said via Yahoo Sports.

The English striker picked up the injury during the 2-0 loss against Borussia Dortmund in Germany on Wednesday as he joins fellow forward, Isak, on the injury list.

Callum Wilson out for ‘a number of weeks’ with a hamstring issue.

Eddie Howe confirms he has withdrawn from the England squad as a result.

Miguel Almiron also a concern with his hamstring but not clear if it is a long-term issue just yet. #NUFC #BOUNEW

— Dominic Scurr (@DomScurr) November 11, 2023

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Eddie Howe’s team delivered a disappointing performance, suffering a significant 2-0 defeat in Germany against Borussia Dortmund. The result and performance highlighted their ongoing injury crisis.

That being said, the match served as a stark reminder of how much Newcastle United must progress to become a well-rounded and competitive side in the Champions League, emphasising the need for greater squad depth.

Despite these challenges, there’s potential for them to become a formidable force in European football with additional skill and tactics.

Howe’s post-game comments underlined his commitment to improvement without without making excuses. However, with only 13 senior outfield players and Callum Wilson’s early departure due to a hamstring issue, the team is severely constrained in realising its potential in this crucial season for the Toon Army.

The squad’s lack of depth is glaring, and the forthcoming Premier League ruling on squad additions from clubs in Saudi Arabia could impact their plans for the January transfer window. Newcastle were reportedly preparing for the arrival of Ruben Neves on loan from Al-Hilal, but these plans could be scuppered.

Sven Botman, Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes, Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy, Matt Targett, Javier Manquillo, Elliot Anderson are all set to miss the Magpies trip to Bournemouth on Saturday evening. Along with Sandro Tonali (long-term suspension) and Bruno Guimaraes who has picked up a match ban due to picking up five yellow cards.

The post Newcastle United’s squad at full stretch for visit to AFC Bournemouth appeared first on CaughtOffside.

If feeling you were wronged by an incorrect VAR decision wasn’t bad enough, one Premier League sporting director has now been banned for his actions during the match against Newcastle United.

Football managers, players and executives appear to be under so much pressure these days, that it only takes one small issue to really light the blue touch paper.

Of course, losing the plot howsoever that may be is never a good look or a good idea, and will almost always end up with a punishment of some description.

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That’s exactly what’s happened in the case of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ sporting director, Matt Hobbs.

Apparently, he was so incensed by the award of a penalty for Newcastle in the recent 2-2 draw, that he had some choice words to say to the officials, and that’s landed him a one match stadium ban.

Regulation and Discipline update on @Wolves: pic.twitter.com/vTIGS81SCK

— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) November 9, 2023

He has also been fined £4,000 for the unsavoury incident which took place at the Premier League game on October 28.

When clubs ask their players to keep their cool on the football pitch in the heat of battle, then executive members of the club need to set the example in the first instance.

Matt Hobbs hasn’t just let himself down, but also his club.

The post Newcastle United incident sees EPL sporting director banned appeared first on CaughtOffside.

The size of the task awaiting Newcastle United in the Champions League has been put into perspective with the sheer size of their growing injury list.

With so much more pressure and at least six extra matches against top-tier European teams when compared to last season, it was obvious that any injuries and suspensions that may arise were going to hurt the Magpies.

Another loss to Borussia Dortmund has made their task even harder given that Eddie Howe’s side have got to win both of their remaining games to given themselves any chance of qualification to the knockout stages, and even then they will be relying on other results going their way.

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According to Premier Injuries, their current injury troubles – they have 11 players out – will only be slightly reduced by the time of the PSG match.

Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak are both expected to be back for the Chelsea game the previous weekend, however, the news isn’t so good for nine other players.

Sven Botman isn’t due back until December 10, with Elliot Anderson the next best case scenario of a Boxing Day return.

Harvey Barnes, Dan Burn and Jacob Murphy aren’t due back until various dates in January, whilst Sandro Tonali is banned until next August.

Callum Wilson, Javier Manquillo and Matt Targett don’t even have a return date as yet, so if the Magpies were to tumble out of Europe, the blame can’t be attached to Howe or his backroom staff, because that’s an unprecedented injury list at one of the most crucial times of the season.

The post Newcastle likely to be without nine players for PSG test appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Eddie Howe has revealed that he substituted Callum Wilson at half-time as a ‘precaution’ after the striker felt something in his hamstring.

Newcastle have a mammoth task ahead of them if they want to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

After back-to-back defeats to Borussia Dortmund, Howe’s side now sits bottom of their group and still must play PSG in Paris.

To make matters worse, his side is going through an injury crisis with several players including Dan Burn and Alexander Isak not in the matchday squad.

The English manager now must contend with another potential issue as striker Wilson was forced off at half-time as a ‘precaution’.

“I’ve never known a situation like this before where we are losing a player a game at the minute,” he said in his post-match press conference, via NUFC TV.

“Today Callum just felt a tightness in his hamstring so we took him off at half-time as a precaution to make sure it didn’t get worse, so we don’t know the extent of that.”

The post Eddie Howe reveals why took Callum Wilson off at half-time as injury concerns grow appeared first on CaughtOffside.