Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says his squad is strong enough to compete after struggling with a run of injuries of late.
Some supporters were unhappy with Howe’s approach to the second leg of their League Cup semi-final against Manchester City in midweek.
Howe rested some players and then, after Anthony Gordon limped off to be replaced by Harvey Barnes, made three extra changes aimed at protecting his side ahead of two key Premier League fixtures with Brentford and Tottenham.
Newcastle are still in the Champions League but head into the weekend in 11th place – short of where they would have been expected to lie.
Howe said: “My message to the fans is that we are fighting and we will give it our all to try to get a positive outcome.
“I think it is a really difficult thing to manage because if you have too big of a squad you have problems one way and if you have too thin of a squad you have problems the other way.
“At the start of the season I really liked the look of the team and the squad. Throughout the season we have had different blows with key players missing.
“None more so than in the last few weeks really than when our midfield has been hit and our back line has been hit for a long time and that has probably been the biggest concern for us.
“With a full bill of health the squad is more than strong enough. With one or two injuries I still think it is strong enough but I think if you get four or five injuries in one position then possibly not.”
Newcastle are waiting to hear the news on Gordon’s injury.
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