Benitez could be set to have TWO players missing for Saturday’s trip to Liverpool according to the Chronicle, with both Jonjo Shelvey (knee) and Dwight Gayle (hamstring) emerging with injury concerns following Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.
Starting with Gayle, it’s been revealed that he was withdrawn after complaining about ‘tightness’ in his hamstring – an area he’s had several issues with over the past 18 months.
With Slimani out for another two weeks, Joselu struggling for form and Gayle having just found some with two goals at the weekend, it would be a real shame to see him sidelined.
Regarding Shelvey, the club announced that he sustained a ‘knee injury’ in the second half of Saturday’s game, with his clash with Martin Dubravka understood to have done the damage.
Jonjo Shelvey suffered a knee injury in collision with his own keeper Martin Dubravka on Saturday at Bournemouth. He’ll have further scans later this week.
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) February 27, 2018
The Chronicle have confirmed that he will undergo a scan later in the week which will determine the extent of the injury.
Given their form in recent weeks and our lack of options up front in particular, Benitez will be hoping that both are minor injuries if they do end up missing the trip to Anfield.
If not, there’ll be big pressure on the capable duo of Mikel Merino and Islam Slimani to step in, keep fit and deliver.