With Rafa Benitez still unable to take part in NUFC duties due after failing to recover from a recent operation, his trusted assistant Paco Moreno took over press-conference duties today, discussing our latest injury concerns and Rafa’s availability ahead of Sunday’s game.
Here is a summary of the key messages from the press conference:
- Chancel Mbemba’s injury sustained on international duty may not be as bad as first feared, however the stand-in left-back will miss Swansea.
- Dwight Gayle, Jonjo Shelvey, DeAndre Yedlin and Florian Lejeune have all trained and are in contention to return on Sunday.
- Paco confirms Rafa has been better today than he was on Thursday, but remains unsure whether he will be able to make Sunday’s game, stating he is desperate to make it, but his health comes first.
- He also admitted that he is yet to discuss the transfer window with Benitez.
Paco on Benitez:
'Hopefully Rafa can join us. Today was better than Thursday but we don't know.'
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) September 8, 2017
'He tried to come yesterday but realised he couldn't. He wants to be here because of his passion for football & #nufc'
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) September 8, 2017
Paco on Mbemba’s injury:
'Chancel is not too bad. Assessment has been quite good. He'll miss Swansea but it's not too bad'.
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) September 8, 2017
Paco on Gayle, Lejeune and Yedlin:
'We're very happy with Gayle. Yedlin training fully: has a good chance. Lejeune as well. We'll decide on Saturday.'
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) September 8, 2017