Injuries worry Howe with Newcastle close to securing Champions League spot

Newcastle Uniteds injury concerns are keeping manager Eddie Howe preoccupied going into the last two matches of the season as his third-placed side look to ensure a spot in the Champions League with a top-five finish in the Premier League.

League Cup winners Newcastle are three points above Chelsea in fifth and sixth-placed Aston Villa as they prepare to visit Arsenal on Sunday before finishing their campaign with a home game against Everton the following weekend.

Sven Botman, sidelined for two-and-a-half months with a knee problem before coming back late last month, has picked up another knock in a fresh blow to the Newcastle defence which is also missing Lewis Hall, Matt Targett and Kieran Trippier.

He (Botman) got a bang on his knee. Were not sure about Svens availability for the weekend but well give him a chance to be fit, Howe told reporters on Friday.

We dont think its a serious injury. Hes been unlucky. Youre going to get knocks and bruises in his position and this is a similar thing, hes been really unlucky on the last two occasions.

Howe said Trippier would miss Sundays match due to a minor calf problem but he was happy to have Jamaal Lascelles available after the centre-back made his return as an unused substitute at the weekend after missing over a year following knee surgery.

Hes a brilliant professional. Weve missed his voice on the training pitch, the demands he puts on himself and other people, hes a real culture setter for us. Were delighted to have him back, Howe said of Lascelles.

Midfielder Joe Willock, who picked up a knee injury this month, had a slight chance of being fit while Joelinton, also sidelined with a knee problem, was trying hard to make a comeback but could be out