Islam Slimani didn’t play yesterday in the 1-1 draw with Royal Antwerp at the Pinatar Arena in Spain.
The game ended Newcastle’s four-day long training camp
Islam was training under the guidance of a fitness coach when he was in Spain, but today he is linking up with the Algerian squad.
There’s no way Rafa can stop that from happening because the medical staff for the Algerian National team will need to check him out.
But it would be strange if he plays in any of the two friendly games Algeria have lined up.
Islam Slimani – in Murcia, Spain last week
Rafa again addressed Slimani’s situation yesterday after the game as reported in the Chronicle.
“Our doctor is in contact with their (Algeria) doctor. He will be there and he will see how he feels.”
“Depending on that, he will play or he will not play.”
“He’s quite positive,”
“He’s desperate to play. We will see how many minutes, if he can play. “If everything is fine, he will be the one with the doctors there who will say he’s OK.”
“Islam’s progressing with our medical staff, and we’re talking with the medical staff of his national team, so it makes sense,”
“Hopefully, he will progress in the days ahead.”
“It’s not ideal, but we can’t stop them or stop him playing (for Algeria).”
“At the same time, we want him to play to be sure he is a little bit better if he has to play against Huddersfield.”
We are hoping that when Slimani comes back to Newcastle from being with the Algerian squad, he is fit enough to make his debut for Newcastle against Huddersfield Town on March 31st.
That’s our next relegation 6 pointer that we must win.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
6 comments so far
martoon
Mar 19, 2018 at 9:35 AM
Comment #1You just know what is going happen here!
ronaldo aarons
Mar 19, 2018 at 9:41 AM
Comment #2does anyone else remember on deadline day, reports came out of slimani failing a medical? Im starting to think it may have been true now.
ronaldo aarons
Mar 19, 2018 at 10:03 AM
Comment #3So are we all in agreement… Beardsley for the chop? and I dont mean his job!!
Geordie-john
Mar 19, 2018 at 10:40 AM
Comment #4I have a feeling that now Slim has sort of been confirmed as fit ( ish ) He is off to play for Algeria. How long will it take him to get injured ! I can see another Michael sick note Owen situation coming up. I just hope this time we aren’t daft enough to sign him without seeing what sort of job he can do for us at club level. Owen ( sick note ) made a mockery of us picking and choosing when he was fit or not . Funnily enough he was never fit when a Liverpool game came around.
Geordie-john
Mar 19, 2018 at 10:43 AM
Comment #5Beardsley. Does he really deserve to be hung out to dry ? I’m not sure.
toonincheek
Mar 19, 2018 at 2:00 PM
Comment #6I can believe thaty Beardsley follows training practices
from 2-3 decades ago – that he himself experienced –
but times change.
Such practices would not be acceptable now.