Some frustrating injury news from Rafa Benitez today, with him confirming that both Jonjo Shelvey and Federico Fernandez will miss tomorrow’s trip to Huddersfield – however Paul Dummett could be set to return.
DeAndre Yedlin will also miss the game through suspension, with him picking up a one-game ban after his red card last Sunday.
On the plus side, Lejeune and Dummett are now back in training, with the latter having every chance of returning to the side on Saturday.
Here’s what Rafa’s had to say on the fitness front when speaking to the press in the last few moments:
“Yedlin suspended, Fernandez has a knock in his calf, he is progressing but isn’t available.
“Fernandez had a knock to his calf and will not be available but is working hard with the physio. Hopefully, next week, he’ll be close.
“Shelvey – we have to wait at least around another ten days & assess him again.”
Neither Fernandez or Shelvey took part in yesterday’s training sessions, so it will come as little surprise to hear that they won’t be fit in time to face Huddersfield tomorrow.
Shelvey was initially expected to be involved against Wolves last weekend but failed to make the squad through injury, while Fernandez looks to have picked up a calf problem – with him limping off at half-time on Sunday and being pictured today with a strap around his lower left leg at the club’s training ground.
Rafa has also confirmed that Lejeune is making real progress after a return to training and 45 minutes for the U-23’s in midweek, however this one will come too soon for him as you’d expect:
“He is not available, but he is getting closer. For Florian, it is good news.
“Normally with a cruciate ligament injury, it is 6-9 months [out]. In four months, he is back playing and that is good news for us.
