Newcastle United training ground claim after ‘goalscorer’ ruled out for four months with ‘freak’ injury.

Newcastle United’s Harvey Barnes is still working his way back from a four-month injury absence.

Eddie Howe believes Harvey Barnes will want assistance to return to his greatest levels for Newcastle United.

There was a lot of excitement surrounding Barnes’ £38 million summer signing from Leicester City. The winger immediately adjusted to life on Tyneside with a strong pre-season and a goal and an assist off the bench on his Premier League debut for the club against Aston Villa.

However, less than two months later, Barnes suffered a freak injury to his foot in an 8-0 win over Sheffield United, forcing him to miss more than four months of action. The 26-year-old returned from injury a month ago, scoring from the bench in a 4-4 draw against Luton Town at St James’ Park.

Barnes has only made one start for the Magpies since then, and Howe admits that patience will be required for players returning from longer-term ailments. Elliot Anderson and Joe Willock have also recently returned from four months on the sidelines.

“I believe this is the situation we’re in,” Howe admitted. “We have players who are fit and available, but they will need time to come back to their best.

“I probably speak more educatedly than anyone on this; I had numerous injuries throughout my career and returned at various periods, some with less training than others, but it always took me, and I knew within myself, weeks to recover to my greatest levels.

“It’s just a matter of practicing and playing until you find your rhythm again. And I believe we have players in that boat, but that doesn’t mean they can’t contribute or play well, and we can’t win games; it’s just that they need to get back to their very best. I believe you should put that period of training behind you.”