Saturday’s visit of Wigan will see Newcastle resume Championship duties after two weeks away, as we near the conclusion of the dreaded International break.
The break, however, appears to have come at an ideal time for The Magpies, with the side without a win in their previous three outings, also falling victim to a cluster of first team injuries.
All things considered, here are the Newcastle players who we believe to have benefited most from the recent International break:
Matt Ritchie
The winger was called up to the Scotland squad for their International double-header against Canada and Slovenia.
Ritchie, however, played no part in either game. While this must have been a frustrating for the 27 year-old, the midfielder, known for his intensity & work rate, will return to Tyneside injury free, fresh & raring to go.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
After failing to feature in any of Newcastle’s last 5 games, the 22 year-old was in need of a confidence boost. This arrived over the weekend, as he found the net in impressive fashion in Serbia’s 3-1 win in Georgia.
This bodes well for Mitrovic and Benitez, with the striker likely to play a part in the upcoming home double-header, as Daryl Murphy looks set to miss both games.
Jonjo Shelvey
It was recently confirmed that Shelvey had been suffering from illness, explaining why the midfielder was unable to start in The Magpies’ latest league game at Birmingham.
With no International call-up for Jonjo, two weeks off is likely to have done our midfield maestro the world of good.
Paul Dummett / Vurnon Anita
The Chronicle reported recently that the NUFC full-backs had been playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks, relying on pain-killing injections to see them through games.
Hopefully, the break will have given the pair a much needed rest to ease their injury complaints.
Isaac Hayden
Newcastle have missed the 22 year-old and the break has come at an ideal time for the combative midfielder.
Following a week of training at the Benton base, the International break has given Isaac the ideal chance to recover in time for Saturday’s visit of Wigan.
The return of Hayden would offer a timely boost to Rafa and his side.
IMO a good subject with it coming to the the real end of the season Ime sure the rest will have done a power of good if only for the mind set of players they now know eight games will decide their fate of the club and themselves,the odd player has looked a little heavy legged,I myself think they will kick on and think we will not lose any of the remaining games,here’s hoping
Agree Ice, it’s just 8 games, the hard work is arguably already done. They just have to focus and finish it now , starting on Saturday. I reckon 3 wins and a couple of draws will do it, especially if Brighton keep shooting themselves in the foot.
So OBA returns on Sat with Wigan,watch him have a blinder
😈 😈
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And congratulations to @AdamArma9 and @41Woodman41, who were part of the @England Under-20 squad that won the Four Nations tournament. #NUFC
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Well done to #NUFC defender @LewisGippa3, who bagged the winner for @England Under-17s in Bosnia on Tuesday!
He’s never had a blinder in his life Ice! Dummett’s got his number already.
ill say one thing for the kid,when he played against Sterling he never gave him a kick,was one of the best game i saw him play
Brings back memories of young Mbabu playing Hazard out of the game. It was a strange decision to let that kid go and bring in Lazaar and Gamez.
My thoughts too Georgio.
Apparently Dummett, Anita, Murphy and possibly even Clark could be fit for Wigan. Strange no mention of Hayden though.
In other news apparently Ashley’s told everyone to lay off Rafa and give him what he wants.
Good word apparently. 🙄
why cannot he tell Rafa himself??
GEORGIO,by the way Wigan have been playing Oba on the left wing lately,he should have the pace against Antia to give him problems