Newcastle Suffer Another Huge Blow Ahead of Carabao Cup Final vs Liverpool as Second Big-Name ‘Ruled Out for the Season’

Newcastle United’s hopes of lifting the Carabao Cup have taken another significant hit as yet another key player has been ruled out of the much-anticipated final against Liverpool on March 16.

Just days after winger Anthony Gordon received a suspension that will see him miss the final, it has now emerged that another crucial member of Eddie Howe’s squad, Lewis Hall, will also be unavailable for the remainder of the season due to injury.

Gordon was handed a three-match ban for violent conduct following his straight red card in Newcastle’s dramatic FA Cup fifth-round clash against Brighton. The incident occurred with just seven minutes left in normal time when Gordon lashed out at Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke, leaving the Magpies down to ten men for the closing stages.

Initially, there were suggestions that Newcastle might appeal against the red card, considering Gordon’s impressive contribution this season, where he has netted nine goals and provided six assists. However, the club ultimately opted against lodging an appeal, meaning the England international will miss key fixtures against West Ham, Brentford, and most importantly, the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.

As if losing Gordon wasn’t a significant enough blow, Newcastle has now been hit with yet another devastating setback. Defender Lewis Hall, who was absent during the Brighton clash, has been ruled out for the rest of the 2024/25 season due to a serious foot injury.

Hall sustained the injury during Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat against Liverpool last week. Concerns were immediately raised over his availability for the final, and manager Eddie Howe’s recent update on the left-back’s condition painted a grim picture.

“We’re waiting to see,” Howe said after the Brighton game. “It is an ankle problem that Lewis Hall picked up after the Liverpool game and had some pain towards the end of the game. He didn’t really recover well, and he has a bit of swelling there.”

Howe further revealed that Hall underwent a scan and later consulted a specialist for further evaluation. Unfortunately, the results confirmed the worst, leaving Newcastle without yet another vital player for their Wembley showdown.

On Wednesday morning, the club released an official statement confirming the unfortunate news.

“Following a scan and advice from a specialist, Lewis will undergo surgery before a period of rehabilitation with the club’s medical team,” the statement read. “Wishing you all the very best for your surgery and recovery, Lewis.”

This news comes as a significant blow to Eddie Howe’s plans, as Hall had been an instrumental part of Newcastle’s defensive setup throughout the season. His absence will force Newcastle into a defensive reshuffle, with Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, or Dan Burn likely to deputize in his position.

Liverpool, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on Newcastle’s weakened squad, with Mohamed Salah expected to be a major threat down the right flank. The Egyptian forward has been in scintillating form this season, and without Hall’s presence in defense, Newcastle could face an uphill battle in trying to contain his attacking prowess.

This latest setback further adds to Newcastle’s growing injury woes. The Magpies have already been dealing with the absence of several first-team regulars throughout the campaign, and with Gordon and Hall now out, their depth will be severely tested in one of the most crucial matches of their season.

For Newcastle fans, the dream of lifting silverware at Wembley now seems even more challenging. The team will need to dig deep, relying on a mixture of experienced heads and young talent to overcome Liverpool’s relentless attack.

Despite these challenges, Eddie Howe will be hoping his side can rise to the occasion and produce a memorable performance in the final. Newcastle’s resilience has been on display multiple times this season, and they will need every ounce of determination to stand a chance against an in-form Liverpool side.

While the absence of Hall and Gordon is a massive setback, Newcastle still possesses quality within their ranks. Players like Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton, and Alexander Isak will need to step up and deliver standout performances if the Magpies are to pull off an upset at Wembley.

As the countdown to the final continues, all eyes will be on how Eddie Howe adjusts his tactics and lineup to cope with these losses. One thing is certain: Newcastle will need to produce a near-perfect performance to overcome the odds and lift the Carabao Cup.

For now, Newcastle fans can only hope that the team finds a way to fight through adversity and deliver a historic victory on March 16.