Injury updates emerge on Schar, Ritchie & Lejeune as serious injury to NUFC star is confirmed

Jamaal Lascelles may not kick a ball again this year, but the Chronicle claim Matt Ritchie, Florian Lejeune and Fabian Schar are all close to returning from injuries.

While we’re not short for centre-backs, with Fernandez, Clark and Dummett all filling in superbly this season, both Schar and Lejeune are in contention to make Steve Bruce’s squad ahead of our trip to Aston Villa a week on Monday.

Steve Bruce confirmed last week that Matt Ritchie suffered a ‘setback’ in training recently, but Lee Ryder reports that he’s expected to be back ‘later this month’ – suggesting he may miss the trip to Villa but should be back for our clash with Manchester City on November 30th.

Schar will not take part in Switzerland’s EURO 2020 qualifiers over the international break, with the club confirming he’ll stay at Benton instead to continue his recovery from a knee injury, while Lejeune is ‘champing at the bit’ to return to Steve Bruce’s squad at Aston Villa according to the NUFC boss.

Lascelles’ injury is a blow – he’s our skipper and leader at the back after all – but it must be said that we may not miss him a great deal if both Schar and Lejeune can return, giving Bruce FIVE capable centre-backs to work with in his absence.

As for Ritchie, his energy, heart and intensity is infectious, but I don’t see him taking Jetro Willems’ place in the side anytime soon if the Dutchman continues to shine at left wing-back.

With that in mind, how do you see us lining up when all three are fully fit?

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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