In a press conference held earlier today, Steve Bruce has provided an update on SEVEN Newcastle players ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with Liverpool.
He claims that Jamaal Lascelles is ‘making inroads’, suggesting the skipper isn’t far away, but it seems Allan Saint-Maximin’s comeback from Covid will take much longer, with Bruce stating he’s still “weeks away”.
There’s also bad news on Ryan Fraser, who will miss Liverpool “and the week after” after Bruce confirmed he injured his groin in last week’s defeat at Brentford.
Elsewhere, the NUFC boss confirms Jeff Hendrick and Paul Dummett will also be missing tomorrow night due to illness, however it seems Callum Wilson is OK, with Bruce hopeful he’ll be “raring to go” after being rested over the weekend and since returning to training.
Last but not least, Bruce states that Jonjo Shelvet has had a “very sore” groin after an operation last month. He’s been back in training but it remains to be seen if he’ll be risked on Wednesday night.
Here’s the gaffer’s comments in full on the fitness front:
“Jamaal Lascelles is making inroads into joining in with the team but Saint-Maximin is still weeks away.”
“Wilson had a knock to his ankle so I didn’t want to risk him [against Man City] but hopefully he’ll be raring to go.”
“Ryan Fraser hurt his groin against Brentford. I don’t think he’ll make Liverpool or the week after but we’ll see how he is.”
“Hendrick and Dummett aren’t well.”
“Shelvey had a groin operation a month or so ago and has been very sore. We took him out against Man City to see if he can recover properly.”
So, it seems we’ll be without Dummett, Lascelles, Hendrick, Fraser and Saint-Maximin tomorrow, with Shelvey touch and go and Wilson likely to return.
Martin Dubravka is another who’s been on the sidelines of late, but no word from Steve Bruce today means we’re none the wiser when it comes to his potential return to the matchday squad.
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