Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says they’ve been dealt a ‘real blow’ ahead of Nottingham Forest after an official announcement.
Newcastle prepare for Nottingham Forest after Brighton win
Forest’s Europa League dream died on Thursday night.
A 4-0 defeat at Villa Park — 4-1 on aggregate — ended what had been an impressive run, and the emotional fallout from that result hangs heavily over the City Ground heading into Sunday’s Premier League visit of Newcastle.
It is, on paper, an opportunity for Howe’s side.
Forest could be without Morgan Gibbs-White, Murillo, Ola Aina, Dan Ndoye and Ibrahim Sangaré, robbing Vitor Pereira of creativity and defensive cover.
A squad already stretched thin by a gruelling campaign in multiple competitions now faces the final stretch of the season with little to play for beyond pride and consolidating their top-flight status.
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Newcastle, meanwhile, ended a four-game Premier League losing run with a 3-1 home victory over Brighton last Saturday, a result that lifted the mood on Tyneside after a deeply disappointing stretch.
Howe’s side sit 13th in the table on 45 points, with two games remaining after Sunday — West Ham at home and a final-day trip to Fulham.
The season has long since been stripped of any meaningful ambition, but finishing with a run of positive results would at least provide some foundation for what promises to be a significant summer of change at St James’ Park.
The injury situation in the Newcastle camp remains a concern, however.
Tino Livramento, who’s attracting interest from league rivals, has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, dealing a blow to his hopes of forcing his way into England’s World Cup squad — Thomas Tuchel names his party on May 22.
Fabian Schär also remains doubtful for the remainder of 25/26 after a prolonged absence stemming from a foot infection.
Eddie Howe reacts to Lewis Miley blow after Newcastle announcement
The most recent addition to that list is a particularly painful one.
Lewis Miley, who had been one of Newcastle’s standout performers in recent weeks and played the full 90 minutes at right-back in last Saturday’s win over Brighton, will play no further part this season after fracturing his fibula in a training ground accident on Tuesday — as confirmed by the Magpies.
The 20-year-old was alone when he slipped — no other player was involved — and what initially appeared minor quickly proved more serious.
Surgery followed swiftly and successfully, with Howe stating he is expected to be fit for pre-season.
Howe addressed the injury at his pre-match press conference on Friday, and the hurt in his words was evident.
“It was a really innocuous moment, training on Tuesday,” the Newcastle manager said.
“There was no other player involved. He was unable to continue and it was a little more serious than we thought. The surgery went well, he now faces a few months out, we hope he will be back in and around pre-season.
“It is a shame as he was playing well, outstanding in recent weeks and we really missed him.
“A real blow for us but also for Lewi — it’s been a huge frustration for him.”
It is the latest in a string of injury setbacks for the midfielder, who also missed seven Premier League matches earlier this season with a dead leg and suffered a fractured metatarsal in the summer of 2024.
The disruption has been relentless for a player of his age and ability, and while Howe’s confidence in his eventual return is clear, the timing of this latest blow stings — particularly with the World Cup on the horizon and Miley beginning to attract genuine attention from England selectors.
For now, Howe must look to others.
A wounded Forest side on Sunday represents the kind of opportunity that does not come along often. Newcastle will be determined to take it.
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