Newcastle United are preparing to make a high-profile behind-the-scenes appointment as they look to address a growing problem that has plagued Eddie Howe’s squad this season. Injuries have hit the Magpies hard, disrupting the team’s rhythm and forcing the manager to constantly adapt his plans.
Among the latest casualties is £55 million summer signing Yoane Wissa, who has yet to play a single minute for the club since his move from Brentford three months ago due to a persistent knee injury.
William Osula is also sidelined with an ankle problem, while Kieran Trippier continues to struggle with a hamstring issue. Emil Krafth, who travelled with the squad for Newcastle’s recent 2-1 Champions League defeat at Marseille, has missed the last two matches, raising further concerns over the full-back position.
Other players have also been affected by injury spells throughout the campaign. Jacob Ramsey, Tino Livramento, and Lewis Hall have all spent time on the sidelines, although they are now available for selection.
Despite these players returning, Newcastle’s squad depth has been tested repeatedly, and the festive fixture schedule promises more strain in the coming weeks.
Eddie Howe has been forced to make careful decisions regarding player management, balancing the need to field competitive line-ups while protecting long-term fitness.
To strengthen their response to these challenges, Newcastle United have announced plans to recruit an assistant first-team doctor. The club has advertised the role online, emphasising that the successful candidate will provide “world-class medical care” to the men’s first-team squad.
The new doctor will support head of medicine Dr Paul Catterson, working closely with physiotherapists, rehabilitation specialists, and the academy doctor to ensure players receive optimal care both on and off the pitch.
According to the job description, the assistant doctor will play a central role in matchday cover, injury diagnosis, treatment, and the development of medical protocols.
Whether attending home or away games, they will be expected to deliver elite-level care, helping to keep the squad healthy and match-ready throughout the season.
Newcastle’s management sees this appointment as crucial in reducing injury setbacks and improving overall squad resilience.
The club’s injury list remains a key concern as they approach a congested period of fixtures. At least four players are currently sidelined with no definitive return dates, leaving Howe short in key areas.
Before the Marseille match, Howe highlighted the situation, noting that Emil Krafth had traveled with the squad while Kieran Trippier had not. With both full-back options limited and Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall only recently returning from injury, the input from Newcastle’s medical staff has become even more critical. Howe stressed the importance of consulting with the medical and sports science teams to make informed decisions regarding player involvement.
William Osula has been under specialist care for his ankle injury and has now missed the last four matches across all competitions, with no immediate return to first-team training in sight.
Meanwhile, Yoane Wissa is gradually stepping up his recovery, moving closer to integrating with the first-team group after months of rehabilitation. Newcastle are hopeful that his return will provide a much-needed boost in attacking options, but patience is key to ensuring the player’s long-term fitness.
The Magpies’ medical situation is compounded by the timing of injuries. With a busy festive schedule and high-stakes Champions League fixtures, the club cannot afford further setbacks.
The new assistant first-team doctor will play an essential role in monitoring workloads, providing accurate injury assessments, and supporting recovery plans that minimize risk while maximizing performance.
Newcastle are aiming to create a more robust structure behind the scenes, ensuring that injuries have a smaller impact on team selection and results moving forward.
Eddie Howe remains cautious but optimistic. He understands that managing player fitness is vital to achieving both Premier League and European ambitions.
“Their longer-term fitness is crucial for us,” he said regarding Livramento and Hall, “especially with Kieran’s injury. We’re not quite sure how long he will be out, which leaves us short of options in the full-back position.”
The club’s proactive approach to medical staffing shows a commitment to safeguarding player health while maintaining competitiveness on the pitch.
With Wissa edging closer to first-team training and other players returning from injury, Newcastle hope that the new medical appointment will provide stability and ensure the squad is prepared for the challenges ahead.
In a season already disrupted by injuries, the addition of a world-class medical professional could make the difference between resilience and repeated setbacks.
