Newcastle United -boss Eddie Howe admits that his team is on his limits in the last weeks of the season.
Newcastle goes to Arsenal on Sunday, who still needs a victory to make sure that they are holding their place in the Champions League places. The tone will be in third place on the Emirates, with the top five that is eligible for the Elite competition.
Howe said on Friday morning: “We are light. January played a role in it when we lost two players from the team. I think we did very well this season to manage a small team.
“I think our injury record has been partial this season, partly. We have succeeded in keeping the majority of the players fit.
“You will always get one or two injuries, but yes, I think we are in position with our team where if you get, and sometimes that can happen, a series of injuries and it can look thin very quickly, so that fingers crossed we can keep our strength to the end.”
Bad Botman was wounded again
Those injuries are Defender Sven Botman, who has sustained a new knee injury. However, how does it state that it was not another ACL.
He also said: “No, no, that's not the case at all. We don't think it's a serious one.
“I think I can feel that he is frustrated. I have been there in the majority of the second half of my career where you will be disappointed, things come to you and you cannot necessarily control them.
“That is the nature of the sport, sometimes you will have an idea where an injury comes from, sometimes it just comes out of nowhere and there is nothing you can do about it.
“I think Sven has been a shame for the past twice, there is absolutely nothing you can do, it is part of his profession.
“He is brave, he is a sincere player, whom he must be in his position, and of course you will sometimes come on the wrong side of those challenges and especially, there is no long -term damage.
“Because he is such an important player for us, you have seen every time he played this season, the contribution he gave the team.”
Champions League qualification not yet done
When going to Arsenal, Howe says that Newcastle recognizes their Champions League -Push, is not yet arranged.
He stated: “It is not yet ready. The photo can change in the game and I think we should really be focused on our next game and try to win it.
“We have been, our preparation has been good and the focus is on the players. Nothing is achieved until it is achieved. We must be single -minded and not distracted.
“We really have to be focused on our next game and try to win what we will do and we have done this week, I think the preparation is good, the focus has been from the players.
“I think the external sound will always be influenced by how you did it and it is positive – but nothing is achieved until it is achieved, so we really have to be a feeling in it and not be distracted.”