With the Premier League confirming the postponement of matches until at least April 4, players will now have to sit tight and watch the development of the pandemic to see what their fate for this season is.
It will be an unwelcomed rest period for many of the players, who, like many of us, will be concerned about catching the virus as well as be concerned about our loved ones.
The solution for this is not at all simple. It’s looking more and more likely that Euro 2020 will be suspended until 2021, which could see the Premier League and other European leagues go into the summer as they look to rescue this season.
If the season is not rescued, who knows what will happen and how they will decide on the outcome. Thankfully, Newcastle have enough points now so they are not in threat of being relegated, but they probably would have loved a crack at Manchester City after qualifying for their first FA Cup Quarter Final since 2006.
However, it is simply too unpredictable and uncertain right now to be making guesses about what day we could return and what could happen. But if it football was to return on April 4, Newcastle might have a few more to pick from.
Should the Premier League cancel the season now?
Yes
No
The Magpies have had a nightmare with injuries all season, so at least they will be getting a bit of extra time to recover while the sporting world is on lockdown.
Players such as Ciaran Clark might be pretty pleased that he won’t be missing Ireland’s playoff game for the Euros, and he might now have a chance in helping his country qualify for whenever that tournament will be.
Overall, the club has eight first-team injuries at this moment in time, per Premier Injuries, but how many will be available if football returns on April 4?
Firstly, Jetro Willems and Paul Dummett have been ruled out for the entirety, so they won’t be back. The same with Ciaran Clark; he has just undergone an operation which will see him miss this game.
Martin Dubravka has been ruled out “for at least a month” according to Premier Injuries, so he is not likely to be back for the return, but it could mean that he will miss a lot less games.
Jack Colback should be back on arrival as he was out for six to eight weeks in early January.
Dwight Gayle was due to return on the weekend, so he should be fit and ready come early April.
Emil Krafth was said to also return on this weekend, so likewise, he should be available if games are on April 4.
And finally, Andy Carroll. Steve Bruce said they hope they will get him back in a few weeks on March 2, so there is hope there, but as well know: you never know with Andy Carroll.