Steve Bruce speaks out after double blow – NUFC set for transfer re-think?

Steve Bruce has confirmed that both Jetro Willems and Paul Dummett will miss the remainder of the season – and admits a transfer re-think may be needed as a result.

The NUFC boss reveals that Willems ‘ruptured his ACL’ during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Chelsea, and also confirms a tendon injury in Paul Dummett’s leg will keep him out for the remainder of the 2019/20 campaign.

Here’s what Bruce has had to say on both injuries and our plans to sign a ‘short-term’ replacement as a result:

Steve Bruce on Jetro Willems

“It’s what we feared. He’s ruptured his ACL and will miss, obviously, the rest of the season. He’s been a very decent player for us and we’ll miss him. We wish him a speedy recovery.”

“The big thing now is the welfare of Jetro and letting him get his head around it. We need to let him have the operation and let him recover.

“Our doctor has been in touch with theirs [Frankfurt’s] already. It’s now a conversation between them two. Basically, he’s their player. The parent club will always have the last say on it.”

We’ll review the whole situation (regarding a permanent move) in a few weeks but it’s all too raw at the moment to speculate or comment on.”

Steve Bruce on Paul Dummett

“We’ve had bad news on Paul Dummett too.

“It looks as if he’ll be out for the rest of the season with a tendon injury in his leg so it’s been a bad weekend in that respect.

“We wish him well.”

Steve Bruce on our transfer plans after losing two left-sided defenders

‘We’ve got funds available. We’re active at this moment.

“Because of what’s happened (with Willems and Dummett), we’re short in that area.

“We might have to see if we can do anything in the short term.’

Elsewhere, Bruce suggested that several recently injured players are close to returning (Manquillo, Carroll, Yedlin?), although it seems tomorrow’s game at Everton could come too soon for Carroll.

Let’s hope both Dummett and Willems make a full recovery and that we see the latter back playing in a black and white shirt next season, with him surely doing enough to earn a permanent deal.

As for potential incomings, it seems we have our work cut out over the next 12 days!

(Fancy writing for us? Get in touch at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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