Newcastle United without £59m duo for Fulham and Arsenal clashes as Eddie Howe recalls 'tough day'

Newcastle United will be without first team duo Harvey Barnes and Callum Wilson for upcoming fixtures against Fulham and Arsenal over the next week, as confirmed by Eddie Howe on Friday.

It's a big week for the Magpies as they prepare for two fixtures against London outfits. Both the Cottagers and the Gunners make the trip to St James' Park to take on the in-form Tyneside outfit.

Howe's side has won 10 of their last 11 fixtures in all competitions but will be all too conscious of the 3-1 defeat inflicted by Fulham at Craven Cottage earlier this season. The Magpies do hold the advantage of Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final thanks to a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium, but that remains a huge fixture with a place at Wembley Stadium at stake.

Eddie Howe provides injury update

Speaking on Friday, Howe provided a fitness update on Wilson and Barnes. The former, who signed for Newcastle United for £20 million in 2020, has managed just four top flight appearances this season between a back injury and a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Barnes had played in every Premier League match before missing the last three with a thigh problem. The winger signed for the Magpies from Leicester City for £39 million in 2023. Howe said: "No chance for this weekend. Callum is getting there - we have seen him in training this week, albeit not the whole session but parts of it and he looked good. But no, the plan is not to be involved in this week, but there's a chance for the games following.

"Harvey is a little bit behind. I think he's gonna be within the next 2 to 3 weeks."

Newcastle United have also just sold winger Miguel Almiron to Atlanta United in the MLS, where he returns after leaving the side to join the Magpies in 2019. Speaking about his attacking options, Howe said: "It's probably not ideal for us in this moment to be light in that position but it is what it is and I've always said I've got no problems dealing with that. I'm trying to make the best of the situation, so we'll look at solutions and players in different positions if we need to. That's my job to try and find a solution if that happens."

Fulham took an early lead against Newcastle United at Craven Cottage in September with Raul Jimenez on the scoresheet after five minutes. Emile Smith-Rowe then made it two in the first half.

Newcastle United remember ‘tough’ defeat to Fulham

Barnes was on target against Marco Silva's side after the break but a 92nd minute Reiss Nelson goal made sure that all three points stayed in London.

Reflecting on that match, Howe said: "Yeah, it was a tough day. We didn't perform anywhere near what we can and we know that that was a phase where we were struggling to reach our best form. But you know in the Premier League that every team has really strong qualities and I think Fulham played very well, they really deserve to win.

"We learned a lot of lessons from that from that game that we tried to take forward and we're still trying to take forward and improve our game. They're a very good side, very good manager, very well coached team."

Fulham are looking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, here's how the Cottagers players rated in that game.