Newcastle United are dealing with an injury crisis as they prepare to face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, with manager Eddie Howe calling for everyone to give a bit more.
Injuries to several key players coupled with a 10-month ban for Sandro Tonali for breaching betting rules have left Howe’s squad at breaking point.
He added: “You can have a game where you lose one or two players and suddenly the outlook and dynamic of the squad changes.
“But you just have to roll with the punches, absorb the hits and that’s what we’re going to try to do.
“It’s not ideal for us, especially with the season to last year – it’s a totally different feel – where we maybe could have absorbed those hits a bit easier with the week-to-week games.
“We’re not in that position now so we’re going to need everybody in the squad to step up. The key message is everyone has to give a bit more.”
Eddie Howe insisted revenge is not on his mind ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup trip to Manchester United.
Newcastle suffered a 2-0 defeat to Erik ten Hag’s side in last year’s final as their long wait for a first domestic trophy since 1955 was extended and the teams have been paired again in this season’s fourth round.
United have been patchy this term and were brushed aside 3-0 in the Manchester derby at the weekend but Howe was adamant rubbing salt into their wound and gaining vengeance was not top of his priority list.
He said: “That’s not our emotion as I sit here now. Our emotion is just to try to prepare and win the game. One win and we’re into the quarter-final of the competition.
“They’ve got some very good results lately and have won some games late. They’ve shown some real character and spirit in those difficult moments to come through those challenges.
“Whenever you play Manchester City they’re very, very difficult games. When you go into a cup tie, to a degree you leave that form behind. This is a one-off game and I’m sure both teams will be motivated to try and win.”
