Steve Bruce has shared some good and bad news during a chat with NUFC TV following today’s 1-0 defeat to Stoke at St James’ Park.
On the plus side, he’s “very, very confident” we’ll get a few new signings ‘over the line’ in the next few days following strong links to Ryan Fraser, Jamal Lewis and Callum Wilson, and even stated that the club are working tirelessly to make sure we have ‘4 or 5’ through the door before the transfer window slams shut next month.
As for the bad news, he confirms that Dwight Gayle looks set for three to FOUR months on the sidelines, says Paul Dummett and Ciaran Clark won’t be fit for the new season after suffering setbacks and that Matt Ritchie also picked up an injury a few days ago.
Elsewhere, he expects Jamaal Lascelles to start at West Ham next weekend after missing today’s 1-0 defeat to Stoke through suspension.
Here’s what he told NUFC TV after today’s game at St James’ Park, suggesting a few could sign in the next ’24-48 hours’:
“The good part today is we’ve picked up no injuries.
“We’ve had a very difficult couple of weeks in terms of people we thought were going to be OK after lockdown and certainly haven’t recovered, i.e people like Dummy (Dummett) and Ciaran Clark.
“And we’ve picked up two or three injuries which are unfortunate.
“Unfortunately Dwight got injured against Crewe 10 days ago and has an operation today that will rule him out for at least three or four months.
“It’s been a very difficult couple of weeks, we can’t deny that, however we have one or two things working behind the scenes in terms of players coming in.
“It’s been publicised and I think all the supporters are eager to see it happen.
“We’re close to one or two things so let’s hope in the next 24-48 hours we can bring one or two in.”
Bruce then continued, confirming a recent injury to Matt Ritchie and the three Newcastle defenders who aren’t fit for the new season.
He also insisted that he’s “very, very confident” there’ll be a few much needed signings announced in the coming days:
“It was a patched up team to say the least.
“Fab Schar isn’t ready.
“Ciaran Clark and Dumment aren’t ready.
“Matt Ritchie picked up an injury two days ago.
“All in all we aren’t too serious, but we still haven’t had time to recover in times of Clark and Dummet in particular.
“They are playing catch up a lot.
“Now more than ever we need two or three people to walk through the door and give everyone a lift.
“We need a bit of help. Hopefully before the window closes we’ll have four or five through the door that will improve us.”
“I’m sure we’ll look totally different to the way we looked today (at West Ham).
“Jamaal (Lascelles) will be available for a start.
“Its been a difficult few weeks, but we’ll keep bashing away.
“We are working tirelessly behind the scenes to make things happen.
“I am very, very confident we can get them over the line in the next few days.”
With FOURTEEN senior players missing from today’s squad, we were bound to hear a few bits of bad news on the injury front.
However, it’s VERY encouraging to hear him speak so positively on our transfer plans amid claims that Fraser is on Tyneside for a medical, Lewis is close after a £13.5m bid was accepted and Wilson is eager to join Newcastle over Aston Villa following a £20m bid.
Fingers crossed, folks!
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That’s the trouble Brucey lad – you lot are doing too much bashing away and not enough signing players!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)