A tough winter period for Newcastle United is probably set to become a whole lot tougher.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe confirmed to a press conference this afternoon that the Magpies will be without Federico Fernandez for tomorrow’s Premier League clash with Liverpool.
Not only that, but Howe revealed that he does not expect the big central defender – who has a thigh injury – to be available throughout the St James’s Park club’s hectic festive schedule.
And when you consider that fixture list, well it’s an enormous blow for the relegation-threatened United.
Here’s how Newcastle supporters have reacted to the development on Twitter:
Enormous
It’s such a bad piece of news because, well, the matches get no easier for Newcastle after their visit to Liverpool.
On Sunday, they’re home to Manchester City – who scored seven goals versus Leeds United on Tuesday – and on Monday week, they welcome Manchester United to Tyneside.
Indeed, facing Liverpool and both Manchester clubs in successive games is ominous, particularly when you’re as poor as Newcastle, who lost 4-0 at Leicester City last weekend.
So to be without somebody like Fernandez is obviously a horrendous blow.
Consolation
If there is one consolation for Newcastle, it’s the theory that Fernandez may not have made a massive difference anyway.
After all, he is only one player and although he’s definitely an excellent defender, he isn’t good enough to be the difference between victory and defeat in any of their upcoming trilogy of difficult clashes.
You could even argue that Howe wouldn’t have started the 32-year-old Argentine, if he was available, but his performance in the 1-1 draw with Norwich City last month is a big reminder that he’s a massive player for Newcastle.
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