The medical room at St James’ Park is becoming far more crowded than the manager would like, and the latest visuals from the stadium have done little to ease the growing anxiety among the supporters. As Newcastle United navigated a difficult afternoon against Brentford, the sight of a key senior figure arriving on crutches served as a stark physical reminder of the club’s current crisis.
Despite the welcome return of Bruno Guimaraes to the starting lineup, the overall health of the squad remains in a fragile state, leaving Eddie Howe to piece together a competitive side during the most demanding stretch of the season.
The most concerning image from the weekend was that of Fabian Schar. The veteran Swiss defender, who has been a pillar of consistency for the Magpies, was spotted arriving at the stadium on crutches. Schar has been sidelined for a month following a serious ankle injury sustained in early January, a setback that ultimately required him to go under the knife.
While the surgery was deemed a success, the road to recovery for a 34-year-old center-back is rarely swift. Eddie Howe has confirmed that the club is working toward a three-month diagnosis, meaning Schar likely won’t feature again until the final weeks of the campaign.
His absence has left a massive void in the heart of the defense, which was painfully evident as the team conceded its tenth goal in just three matches during the 3-2 loss to the Bees.
The defensive woes do not end with Schar. The depth of the backline is being tested to its absolute limit with Tino Livramento and Emil Krafth also occupying spots on the injury list. Livramento is currently battling a hamstring strain that is expected to keep him out for several more weeks, while Krafth has become a long-term absentee.
The Swedish international hasn’t been seen in a matchday squad for three months due to a persistent knee complication. With three senior defenders unavailable, the burden on the remaining fit players has led to a lack of cohesion and a worrying increase in individual errors during high-pressure moments.
| Player | Injury Type | Estimated Return |
| Fabian Schar | Ankle (Post-Surgery) | May 2026 |
| Tino Livramento | Hamstring | March 2026 |
| Emil Krafth | Knee | Unknown |
| Joelinton | Groin | Late February 2026 |
| Anthony Gordon | Hamstring | Late February 2026 |
| Lewis Miley | Leg/Knee | TBC |
The midfield and attack have also been hit by a wave of misfortune. While Bruno Guimaraes managed to score and provide an assist in his first game back after an ankle injury of his own, he looked like a man trying to do the work of three.
He was missing his usual partner in crime, Joelinton, who is currently recovering from a groin injury. While there is optimism that the big Brazilian is closing in on a return, he was not ready for the Brentford clash. Furthermore, the loss of Anthony Gordon to a hamstring problem suffered against Manchester City has stripped the team of its primary counter-attacking threat.
Perhaps the most puzzling and worrying update concerns young Lewis Miley. The teenage sensation has been dealing with a leg issue that has produced a bizarre and restrictive symptom: he is currently unable to bend his knee properly.
For a player whose game relies on mobility and late runs into the box, such a mechanical restriction is a significant hurdle. While the coaching staff initially hoped these were short-term knocks, the outlook for the upcoming trip to London to face Tottenham Hotspur remains bleak.
When pressed on whether any of the absentees could make the plane to the capital, Howe admitted that he was not aware of any imminent returns, suggesting that the same depleted group will have to go again on Tuesday.
Eddie Howe has been candid about the psychological impact of these constant setbacks. He noted that when a team loses so many influential characters in such a short period, the “psyche gets damaged.” It becomes difficult to maintain tactical consistency when the personnel changes every week.
The manager has called for a display of real character and mental strength, insisting that the players who are fit must find a way to perform at their absolute ceiling to compensate for the missing quality. However, as the goals continue to fly in at the wrong end of the pitch, the “next man up” philosophy is being pushed to its breaking point.
The current situation is a far cry from the beginning of the season when the squad looked robust and deep. The accumulation of matches totaling 38 already this term has clearly taken its toll on the players’ bodies. For a club with Champions League aspirations, the “harsh reality” is that they are currently fighting with one hand tied behind their back.
Until the likes of Gordon, Miley, and Joelinton can return to provide some much-needed energy and balance, the Magpies will likely continue to find every Premier League fixture an uphill struggle. The sight of Schar on crutches may be the most visible sign of the crisis, but the “silent” injuries in the midfield are proving just as damaging to Newcastle’s European dreams.
