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Alexander Isak missed out when Newcastle travelled to Liverpool in the Premier League.(Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Eddie Howe and Newcastle United could be given a major injury boost ahead of their Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool next month.

The Magpies were comfortably beaten 2-0 by the Reds at Anfield with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister among the goals for Arne Slot's side.

However, the Toon were without three key players for the visit to Merseyside, including talismanic striker Alexander Isak.



The Swedish frontman travelled to Anfield for the game, but was left out of the matchday squad with a small groin issue.

Howe revealed ahead of kick-off that it was a minor issue and they'd hope he'd be back in contention for their FA Cup clash with Brighton this weekend.

Newcastle were also without Joelinton and Sven Botman, but both players are edging closer to a return.

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Brazilian midfielder Joelinton picked up a knee injury in the defeat to Fulham earlier this month, while Botman has not played since their win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Speaking after Newcastle's clash with Liverpool at Anfield, Howe namechecked the absent trio.

He said: "There's no denying we missed Alex's quality, we missed Joelinton's strength, Sven’s height and technical ability.

“So we're missing some key components in our team.

But yeah, that quality was missing.”

Though the trio had been absent from training, Howe mooted that all three could be back in contention for Sunday, if not, it's expected they'll be back for their Premier League clash with West Ham on Monday, March 10, six days before the Carabao Cup final.

“It would be a massive boost, yeah,” the Newcastle boss said when asked about Joelinton and Botman’s potential return.
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