It’s never straightforward with Newcastle United is it?
We should be bouncing into tomorrow’s game against Watford after such a great win at Spurs. Sadly the injuries sustained in Wednesday’s cup defeat don’t appear to have cleared up in time for the visit of the rock bottom Hornets.
In his press conference this morning, Steve Bruce confirmed the news we’ve all been dreading, that Matt Ritchie will be our for around two months, and Allan Saint-Maximin will be out for 3-5 weeks with ankle ligament and a grade 1 hamstring tear respectively.
Meanwhile, Jetro Willems (hamstring), Emil Krafth (thigh) and (gulp) Miguel Almiron (ankle) all face late fitness tests, with their involvement tomorrow set to be dependant on their ability to come through training today.
Fortunately Joelinton is passed fit to lead the line, but Bruce has worryingly claimed that Dwight Gayle is still no better and will now have to see a specialist. Andy Carroll seems to be progressing well and could return at Liverpool in two weeks time, but we’re starting to look threadbare in attack as injuries mount.
In other news, DeAndre Yedlin is back in training after several months out following groin surgery, but it seems highly unlikely that he’s involved tomorrow.
Speaking about Ritchie, and “that” tackle on Wednesday, Bruce said:
“It’s not great news.
“We think he’ll be out for two months or so. Ankle ligament damage. Thankfully it’s not six months but it’s bad enough.
“It’s one of those horror tackles & it was baffling for me. He’s apologised but the ref’s 5 yards away”
A devastating blow for Ritchie and Newcastle United. He may have lacked quality in the opening few weeks of the season, but his work rate and determination is priceless at times.
Not only that, with him out of tomorrow and Willems and Krafth both doubts, we’re also facing a slight injury crisis at full-back. Could we see Dummett and Manquillo starting in wide areas tomorrow?
Allways a sign of bad management having lots of injurys. Yes you can get unlucky but if it continues through the then it’s down to more than just bad luck
peter wilson(Quote)