Rafa Benitez has confirmed that Yoshinori Muto, Jonjo Shelvey and Jamaal Lascelles ALL look set to miss tomorrow’s game with Bournemouth – with Perez, Ki and Schar now looking set to start in their place.
The gaffer has confirmed that Muto and Shelvey have NOT trained – so both will definitely miss out – and although Lascelles has had a training session, Benitez admits it will be ‘difficult’ for him to play.
Here’s what Rafa has had to say about all three:
“Muto and Shelvey have not trained.
“Jamaal has had a training session but it will be difficult for him.
“All three could be out.”
So, it sounds to me like all three will definitely miss out, with Rafa the last person likely to risk Lascelles – especially when Schar came on and did so well last weekend.
Talking of players who impressed against Watford, Rafa also said this about Ki during today’s presser – the man who looks all set to replace Shelvey in midfield tomorrow:
“We signed him because we know he is good on the ball & has Premier League experience.
“He has composure & can give us something out on the pitch. His experience can help us when we have the ball & help us make sure we make the right decisions more often”
Rafa also spoke highly of in-form NUFC youngster Elias Sorensen, with the 19-year old getting a chance to impress Benitez in first-team training yesterday:
“He did well. He showed a good touch & good play.
“He only played a couple of sessions, but you can see in the future he can be a good player if he keeps working hard.
“He needs to keep focused & keep knocking on the door”
Great to hear. With Sorensen in double figures already for the U-23’s, he *might* just get a first-team call up if he keeps his head down and continues to score goals in the Premier League 2.
Back to tomorrow’s game and surely this injury news means starts for Ki, Perez and Schar?
It’s a blow, but if all three make the impact they did when coming on against Watford last weekend, we might just be fine..
