According to the Chronicle, four U-23’s are now under consideration to feature against Rochdale tonight after Steve Bruce was dealt a few more injury blows at Wolves over the weekend.
It’s claimed that Thomas Allan, Ludwig Francillette, Lewis Cass and Elias Sorensen could all be involved ahead of our upcoming FA Cup replay.
All four travelled with the first-team squad to Rochdale the weekend before last and, although none of them featured in the game, the likes of Allan, Francillette and Cass have all been training with the senior side ever since.
With us having injuries all over the pitch, a few in the ‘red zone’ when it comes to their energy levels after Saturday’s hard fought draw at Molineux and a tough game with Chelsea awaiting in just a few days time, it would be no surprise if a few youngsters featured at St James’ Park.
Both Thomas Allan and Kelland Watts were named on the bench at Wolves, but the latter is unable to feature tonight having been cup tied from his loan spell at Stevenage (where he was recalled from last week).
Lascelles is being tipped to return, but with Dummett and Schar out and Clark unlikely to play twice in four days so soon after returning from injury, the likes of Francillette or Cass could get their chance.
In attack, Allan or Sorensen will be hoping for minutes given Gayle is out, Joelinton is struggling with a groin injury and Carroll may be needed for the weekend, but I expect Muto to start – if he’s recovered from the knock he picked up in the last meeting at Spotland.
