Newcastle United fans are facing a nervous wait to see if Sven Botman and Joelinton will be fit enough to face Brighton in today’s 5.30pm kick-off at the Amex.
Eddie Howe has revealed there’s a “small chance” Botman plays after scans showed bruising but no serious damage to his ankle problem sustained in last Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool.
Elsewhere, a “late call” will be made on Joelinton, who hasn’t trained all week after limping off with a knee injury against the Reds. If he misses out, we can expect to see Sean Longstaff or Elliot Anderson fill in, while Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles could come in at centre-back should Botman sit this one out.
It remains to be seen if Lewis Hall is fit enough to start after Howe said he was “some way off” the fitness levels required when he was left out of last week’s squad. The game will come too soon for Joe Willock and Emil Krafth, who haven’t yet returned to full training.
For Brighton, deadline day signing Ansu Fati won’t be available after sealing a loan move from Barcelona yesterday. Dann Welbeck has also been ruled out, meaning former Toon Target Joao Pero could start.
