Allan Saint-Maximin has been passed fit for Sunday’s trip to Spurs, while Steve Bruce has also confirmed that Joelinton is ‘fine’ and Christian Atsu is back in contention.
Bruce also hints that Sean Longstaff could return after being ‘protected’ at Norwich after 5 months out, however he insists that Sunday’s game will come too soon for Andy Carroll and Dwight Gayle, with Florian Lejeune and DeAndre Yedlin also out.
Here’s what he’s had to say when asked for an update on the injury front:
“We hope that Allan Saint-Maximin is going to be OK.
“It’s still too early for Andy Carroll or Dwight Gayle, but Christian Atsu has been on the pitch this week. It was good to see him and see what he’ll offer us.
“Joelinton is fine.”
It looks like Saint-Maximin will return this weekend, but Bruce does suggest that they’ll be assessing him today incase he has a reaction in training.
Bruce then had the following to say about Sean Longstaff after taking him out of the side at Norwich last weekend.
“I detected he was a bit ginger with his knee, which was understandable.
“I had a conversation, it’s normal to miss a game or two to make sure he’s ready.
“When he came on, he had an immediate influence; we were much better.”
Let’s hope he’s recalled to the side on Sunday, with his replacement (Ki) doing little last weekend to justify another start against Spurs.
Whats the odds that once Spuds have seen Longstaff first hand, ! They are in for him alongside manure come xmas.
Peter henderson(Quote)