Will Everton vs Newcastle be on? Eddie Howe makes huge admission amid rising Covid cases

Everton’s clash against Newcastle has been plunged into doubt.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe has admitted his side are ‘dangerously close’ to having fewer than the minimum players required to fulfil a fixture.

Why could Everton v Newcastle be called off?

Newcastle had several players missing for their 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Monday evening amid rising Covid cases in the Premier League.

Howe was forced to name only eight substitutes for the game - of which two were goalkeepers.

Now the former Bournemouth manager is concerned Newcastle won’t have 13 players and a goalkeeper available for when his side are due to play Everton at Goodison Park on December 30.

He fears more of his troops could test positive for coronavirus and be forced into self-isolation.

The St James’ Park outfit also have injury concerns, with Callum Wilson and goalscorer Allan Saint-Maximin limping off against Man Utd to add to their woes.

Howe said: “There is Covid in the camp, yes. We need to count the cost of tonight and see where we are.

“We will count the bodies up and see whether we have enough to play the game.

“I don’t know, we will try to get the game on.

“We will see where we are with the injured players and with the Covid in the camp.

“From there, it is a simple process of just counting the players.

“I believe it’s 13 plus a goalkeeper to have enough players for a game. We’re going to be dangerously close to that number if there’s Covid in the camp.

“We are stretched and it is a difficult moment for us. The lads gave everything, but we are thin on the ground in terms of bodies.”

Background

The Premier League recorded 103 Covid cases - including players and staff - in the seven days up to and including 26 December.

The previous week there were 96.

Everton have had their own problems with coronavirus. Five players recently tested positive, which forced the Toffees to postpone their Boxing Day trip to Burnley.

The previous week, Rafa Benitez’s side’s game with Leicester was cancelled for the same reason.