According to the Chronicle, Paul Dummett, Mo Diame and Ki Sung-yueng could be set to return to action against Wolves next Monday – however Jonjo Shelvey is ‘unlikely’ to be back in time.
Not only that, Miguel Almiron is all set to gain his work permit and start training with the group on Wednesday, meaning he could also be in contention to play at Molineux.
It sounds like Shelvey won’t return until our home clash with Huddersfield in three weeks time, but it will be brilliant to have the likes of Diame, Ki and Dummett back – especially when all three have been missing for several weeks now with niggling injuries.
Here’s a snippet from the Chronicle’s positive transfer update:
‘Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez hopes to be able to welcome three senior members of the Magpies squad back from injury for the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers next week.
‘Left-back Paul Dummett (hamstring), as well as midfielder Mo Diame (hip) and Ki Sung-yueng (hamstring), are “quite close” to reaching full fitness again and could return to the selection fold for the match at Molineux next Monday.
‘Jonjo Shelvey, however, is unlikely to feature for the Magpies until their home clash with Huddersfield Town on Saturday, February 23, as he continues to manage a niggling thigh injury.’
If all three do in fact return in time for next Monday, it will be interesting to see who Rafa opts to play at both left-back and central midfield.
Dummett is our first-choice left-back, however both Matt Ritchie and Antonio Barreca are now competing to play in a left wing-back role – especially now Rafa’s preferred formation includes 5 at the back.
We’ve been threadbare in central midfield recently, forcing Hayden and Longstaff to both play twice in a week at times, but Diame and Ki’s return will give us some much needed options. That said, I struggle to see how Longstaff could be dropped on current form.
It’s also worth mentioning that Yoshinori Muto is set to return to Tyneside soon after Japan’s defeat in the Asian Cup final, so both he and Almiron look set to give us two new options in attack.
A selection headache awaits for Rafa!
Shelvey, Diame Who?
Never missed them.
We looked awesome against Spurs, and I actually enjoyed watching game.
Ed(Quote)
We now look stronger with greater choice across the squad. I would put Ritchie back on his right wing position, keep Longstaff in midfield with Diame and Ki. Dummett needs to return asap to left back.
Brian Hall(Quote)