Rafa Benitez gave an update for Jonjo Shelvey and Islam Slimani during his press conference this afternoon for the game at home to Southampton tomorrow.
And it’s good news for Jonjo Shelvey – he may even start tomorrow although he could also start on the bench.
Shelvey has been training with the first team squad and could be OK for tomorrow’s game against Southampton – so that’s good news.
Islam Slimani – may not be fit for Huddersfield game
But Rafa believes that Islam Slimani could be fit for the game on March 31st at home to Huddersfield – but he doesn’t guarantee that.
This is some of that Rafa has said today during his press conference:
“Jonjo’s been training, but we have to be careful with him,” “We have to decide for tomorrow.”
“I was talking with Slimani two or three days ago and half an hour ago,””He’s improving and doing well.”
“I don’t want to say the Huddersfield game for his debut, but in terms of time, maybe.”
If Islam is not fit to play against Huddersfield what is going on?
That would mean he can play only five games for us if he doesn’t make the Terriers game because he cannot play against Leicester.
We signed him on January 31st with a (slight) thigh injury and if he’s not fit for Huddersfield that would mean he’s been out injured 59 days since we signed him on loan.
That’s not good.
Comments welcome.
8 comments so far
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 9, 2018 at 2:15 PM
Comment #1Good news on Shelvey but what can we say about about Slimani, might as well give Charman a place on the bench and send him back. He’s been the disappointment of the season for me!!
The next Mike Williamson
Mar 9, 2018 at 2:16 PM
Comment #2Lucky we didn’t get Slimani AND Sturridge. Such a high percentage of strikers and wingers are total crocks before they reach 30.
Dagwoodz
Mar 9, 2018 at 2:16 PM
Comment #3Unfortunate situation, (brought on by Mashley’s cheapskate tendencies), but we haven’t played him yet. Therefore, we have no idea good or bad whether or not he’ll be an asset on the field. Hopefully he’s fit for the Hudds game, and hits the ground running, but I’m not counting on either.
BTW, good job Kacper on fixing the site!
Jail for Ashley
Mar 9, 2018 at 2:19 PM
Comment #4Robleenio,
Not sure if you listened to that True Faith podcast, well worth it on a long-ish car journey. One of the Journo’s suggested that Ashley, being the high stakes gambler he is, actually gets a buzz from our near misses. It makes total sense, spending last January would have seen us promoted at a canter, he obviously enjoyed that last day drama a lot more. Despicable piece of work.
lesh
Mar 9, 2018 at 2:36 PM
Comment #5Essex
Some posters who visit this site excel at idiocy when it comes to commenting on some things. They’re so full of their own importance that humility’s a word that’s not even in their vocabulary and this, issuing an apology to Kasper’s not going to happen.
It’s a sad sign of the times that they’ve even had pops at Ed without any consideration his circumstances and in particular, the effort he and his son put into this blog. Shameful behaviour from those oblivious to anything or anybody but themselves.
Munster Mag
Mar 9, 2018 at 4:12 PM
Comment #6Jail if that was true he wudnt have given McLaren those players in January window. That said it sounds half plausible. The slimani though (always a slow heal) makes the mitro loan look sillier by the day.
Nostradamus the Geordie
Mar 9, 2018 at 6:22 PM
Comment #7People have come back from broken legs quicker that Slimani and this so called slight injury. If he does not play against Huddersfield then what a complete balls up by the club and manager.
Phil K
Mar 10, 2018 at 8:35 PM
Comment #8Send Slim Jeannie back. No wonder Leicester were keen to get rid of him
Looking more and more like the obnoxious arsehole Steven Ireland