Newcastle United star sends message as Lucas Paqueta posts 'back at it' West Ham injury update

West Ham United had a weekend off as FA Cup action took centre-stage. Fulham and Crystal Palace both advanced into the last eight of the competition after beating Manchester United and Millwall, respectively - the London clubs will now meet at Craven Cottage in the quarter-finals.

The Hammers have hit some form of late, as they beat Arsenal and Leicester City in their last two games without conceding a goal. Up next is the visit of Newcastle United on Monday, March 10 before Graham Potter’s side head to Everton on Saturday, March 15 in their final game before the international break.

Potter expressed his delight last week as West Ham made it two wins in a row. He reflected: “It’s been a really good week for us. Two clean sheets, two wins, six points.

“Especially after not so long between the games – there was a huge effort at Arsenal of course – and to go again in a game that we're expected to win, I thought the players had a good structure, a good discipline. I don't think it was champagne football by any stretch, but it was professional and importantly we got the job done.”

Newcastle player sends message as Paqueta posts injury update

West Ham won both of their last two games without key attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta who picked up an ankle injury in training ahead of the win over Arsenal. Over the weekend, the Brazilian posted an injury update on Instagram as he was shared two images of himself working with the ball on the grass at the club’s training round with the caption: “Back at it, Glory to God.”

Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes responded to the post as he shared two heart emojis in a message of support. Paqueta and Guimaraes are international teammates with Brazil and also played together for Olympique Lyon in France. Paqueta joined Lyon in September 2020 before leaving for West Ham in the summer of 2022. Guimaraes also spent two years with the club, joining in January 2020 before leaving in January 2022.

A longer break between games for West Ham will give Paqueta a better chance of featuring on Monday night as West Ham welcome Newcastle to the London Stadium.

Newcastle facing suspension and injury concerns

One player who is highly likely not to feature at the London Stadium next week is Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon. The former Everton star was sent off for violent conduct against Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon and has been automatically handed a three-game ban. That is subject to a possible appeal from the Magpies, with Gordon also facing being ruled out of the Carabao Cup final later this month.

Lewis Hall was absent for Newcastle against Brighton with an ankle problem and it’s not clear if he will be back in time to face West Ham while Alexander Isak was withdrawn against Brighton as a precautionary measure.

On Gordon’s red card, Howe said: “I’d need to see it, I can’t sit here and give an honest opinion to that until I’ve done the work that you’ve done and looked at it. But knowing the player, I know there’s no malice intended there. He plays hard – I want him to play hard, I want him to be competitive, but I don’t see an issue there at this moment.

“I think it would be very out of context with how he is generally, maybe a bit of frustration in the game that things weren’t going our way, but I’d say that’s not a common sight for me when Anthony plays.”

In other news, Wolves star blasted by ex-Arsenal man for 'ugly' red card that means he will miss West Ham game.