NUFC have been hit with fresh injury concerns as Steve Bruce has confirmed that Jonjo Shelvey has joined Joelinton and Martin Dubravka on the treatment table.
Brazilian forward Joelinton hobbled off during the first-half of our 1-0 loss to York City yesterday, while Slovakian shot stopper Dubravka picked up a foot injury while on international duty and is expected to be out for the start of the new season.
Now Shelvey – who missed yesterday’s preseason defeat – has been added to the injury list with Bruce revealing that he got injured while training by himself.
This is worrying for a Toon midfield that is already depleted following the departure of loanee Joe Willock.
Here is what Bruce said when asked about an injury update:
“Martin picked up a foot injury with his country at the Euros, and is having an operation.
“We’ll not know how bad that is until tomorrow (today).
“Jonjo hurt himself before pre-season while running on his own.
“He hurt his calf so he’ll not be around for a while just yet.
“(On Joelinton) We all have to be careful of course, but he had a recurrence of a thigh injury.
“We don’t think it is the same injury as he had towards the end of last season.
“But until we have scans and all the rest of it we can’t assess it.”
A ball hasn’t been kicked off the 20/21 campaign and the casualty list is already starting to get out of control.
We were badly affected by injuries last season, with our situation looking apocalyptic in March as the club battled relegation.
It baffles me how we manage to rack up so many injuries. Without wanting to sound like a victim, it certainly seems as though NUFC get more than other clubs out there.
If any positive can be gained from this, it’s that our recruitment buttons need to be pressed harder so our squad isn’t down there the barebones by the time we play West Ham on August 15.
