Some positive news on the fitness front today, with Sky Sports confirming that Islam Slimani is now in full training and is set to make his NUFC debut in Sunday’s clash with Manchester United at St James’ Park.
Whether he starts the game or not remains to be seen, however him being in full training several days before the big kick off is a good sign, suggesting he’ll be in with a strong shout of making his from the start against Mourinho’s men.
Here’s what Sky Sports’ North-East correspondent Keith Downie had to say about NUFC’s new signing today:
Islam Slimani is back in full training with his new teammates and is set to be involved against Manchester United on Sunday #NUFC
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) February 7, 2018
This is a real boost, however I’ve got my fingers crossed that he’ll be ok to start. Joselu has missed some sitters in big games at St James’ Park recently and his confidence will be low, whilst Dwight Gayle looks a shadow of the man we saw last season.
With this in mind, you’d have to hope Slimani’s fit enough to start. We’ll have to take our chances if we want to get anything from this game, and you’d like to bet Leicester’s £29m man would be more much likely than our current options to do exactly that.
Aside from his ability to score some much needed goals, it would also give everyone around the stadium a real lift to see our new striker make his debut against Manchester Utd – a fixture that tends to rev the crowd up enough as it is.
