As confirmed by The Chronicle, both Federico Fernandez and Paul Dummett look set to return ahead of Saturday’s trip to Manchester United – however the game will come too soon for Salomon Rondon, who has been ruled out once again.
Both Fernandez and Dummett were forced to sit out of Saturday’s 0-2 defeat to Leicester after suffering late hamstring injuries, forcing Benitez to start Clark and Kenedy at left-back.
Thankfully, the defensive pair were spotted training (see video below) with the first-team group on Wednesday, but Salomon Rondon was nowhere to be seen – with his thigh injury set to keep him out until after next week’s international break.
? Rafa Benítez and his players have been working hard on the training pitch today as preparations continue for Saturday's @premierleague game at @ManUtd… #NUFC pic.twitter.com/JSCet7nuNc
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 3, 2018
So, it looks like we’ll be back to full strength from a defensive perspective ahead of Saturday’s trip to Old Trafford, but it may be our attack that will need to step up if we wish to cause Mourinho’s Man Utd any real problems.
Here’s what The Chronicle have said about Rondon’s injury, also hinting that Rafa may go with Joselu ahead of Muto:
“There will be no Salomon Rondon after he was ruled out until after the international break and while there have been calls for Yoshinori Muto to start, Benitez may stick with Joselu – who came in for criticism for his missed chance in the first half against the Foxes.”
Let’s hope Rondon is back after the international break. We may need him for what promises to be a HUGE game at home to Brighton in just over two weeks time.
