However, the Magpies boss is hoping that Alexander Isak has not suffered an injury problem despite him hobbling off in the second half of the fourth-round victory at St James’ Park.
Isak opened the scoring as Newcastle progressed to the last eight of the League Cup for the third season in a row, slotting home a precise low finish midway through the first half.
He helped set up his side’s second goal, delivering the deflected cross that Axel Disasi turned into his own goal, but was substituted midway through the second half as he made way for William Osula.
The Swede appeared to be hobbling as he left the field, but Howe is hoping that nothing serious was amiss, with Newcastle due to host Arsenal in a lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League on Saturday.
Howe said: “I hope he’s okay. I haven’t spoken to him yet, but fingers crossed that it’s nothing serious.”
Murphy was not part of the matchday squad this evening, having appeared as a second-half substitute in Sunday’s league defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Howe has revealed that the winger was absent because of a hamstring issue, making him a doubt for the weekend game with Arsenal.
The Magpies boss said: “Jacob was missing because of a slight hamstring. He couldn’t play tonight, but we don’t think it’s anything serious.”
Having admitted that his side were second best as they lost to Chelsea in west London at the weekend, Howe was delighted with the way his players responded as they extracted revenge for their league defeat with a welcome cup win.
He said: “We needed a performance and a result, and I thought we got that tonight, especially in the first half. I thought it was hallmark us at our best – front foot, with really good energy and a good feel and quality.
“Most importantly, there was a really good attitude, and it was a massive win for us.”
0 Comments