Eddie Howe has never quite been able to catch a break in terms of having a fully fit and healthy Newcastle United squad.
Recently, we’ve had to compete in three different competitions without our first choice fullbacks in Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento, with Nick Woltemade also the sole striker at Howe’s disposal following Yoane Wissa’s knee issues.
And that’s all before factoring injuries that have, at times, held back Jacob Ramsey, Will Osula and now Anthony Gordon, who have all had spells on the sidelines.
With Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City the next side to come to St James’ Park, and with us being in desperate need of all three points, Howe looks set to be handed a significant boost ahead of the first game back from the international break…
Three fit for City?
According to The Chronicle, Newcastle are confident they’ll have three key players available for our upcoming game against the Cityzens.
Joelinton, who was forced off in the first half during the trip to Brentford earlier this month, has now been assessed and luckily got away with just a cut from Dango Outtara’s challenge. Although he wasn’t called up by Brazil over the international break, the 29-year-old will continue to be monitored, and should be well rested and available for us after that slight scare.
Tino Livramento is also on course to return, with next Saturday’s clash with City a realistic target after he’s stepped up his training schedule in recent weeks after recovering from a knee injury. Howe had previously commented that “Tino is still on track, we are looking at the Manchester City game for him for when he can be available.”
Anthony Gordon’s recent hip injury, picked up prior to the Champions League clash against Athletic Club but aggravated in the first half of the game, ruled him out of both the Brentford loss and international duty. He, like Joelinton, will be monitored over the next week, but his knock has been deemed ‘minor’, suggesting he should be fine after this period of rest.
Last but certainly not least, Lewis Hall’s fitness is building and it’s expected that he will be in a position to start next Saturday, with his return a welcome one as Dan Burn sits this one out through suspension.
Wissa to miss out again
Although Howe can expect to have options out wide and in the heart of midfield for the Man City game, it looks as though Woltemade will remain the sole striker in the squad.
That’s because Yoane Wissa has again seen his return pushed back ever so slightly, with the start of December being tentatively discussed as when we can expect to see the Congolese star make his long-awaited debut for us.
The Telegraph report that he will miss out once again next weekend and won’t be ready for the midweek trip to Marseille, but could be in the squad for our trip to Everton two weeks tomorrow.
With the nature of Wissa’s knee injury, Howe and the fitness team have been adamant about not wanting to rush him back any time soon and potentially losing him for even more time.
He’ll effectively receive the full ‘pre-season’ worth of training that hasn’t been afforded to him this campaign following the tricky aspects of his Brentford departure and this unfortunate knee injury.
