Rafa Benitez is due to give his press conference today for the game at Norwich tomorrow and it’s likely that Daryl Janmaat is set to be fit for the game, which is a relegation 6 pointer in East Anglia.
Daryl came off in the second half of the Sunderland game with a knee problem, but after treatment at the club’s Benton training grounds he is expected to be fit for the important encounter.
But Fabricio Coloccini, who injured his calf in the warm-down after the game against Lillestrom on February 20th – six weeks ago – is still not fit and he didn’t even play in that game.
Daryl Janmaat – fit for Norwich game tomorrow
What a way to be injured and miss so many games in such an important time of the season for Newcastle.
It’s embarrassing.
Rob Elliot is out for at least six months after he picked up a serious ACL knee injury on Tuesday night playing for Ireland in a friendly game – and Karl Darlow will come in for only his second Premier League appearance ever.
Benitez does not have a regular left-back available either with both Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara both injured again and Jack Colback is suspended for two games after picking up his 10th yellow card against Sunderland.
Moussa Sissoko could even be moved to left back to deputize.
Newcastle still have 11 players out injured – the most of any club in the Premier League at the moment and injuries are again starting to hit the team – as they have done in most seasons for at least the last decade.
The good news is that 20 year-old Kevin Mbabu is nearing fitness again from the thigh injury he picked up in mid-January, although it’s unlikely the former Liverpool and Naples manager will be relying on youngsters during the run-in.
Comments welcome.
9 comments so far
The overrated Frenchman
Apr 1, 2016 at 8:32 AM
Comment #1Well it’s impossible to really know of course, but it looks like Coloccini has bottled it again doesn’t it? To be out for six weeks with an injury picked up in a warm-down just seems ludicrous. Maybe someone with more knowledge than I have of soft tissue injuries could explain it. To be honest, I’d be happy if he never pulled on the shirt again. Shirker, sulker, Shirley Temple impersonator.
Veltman
Apr 1, 2016 at 8:36 AM
Comment #2Not the player I hoped for.I thought it’s one of Colo,Haidara or Tiote.
martoon – Sissoko is not good in tackles and defensive duties.His potential is pace and bullying runs.Putting him at Lb will make matters worse.He already was wasted at Lwg.
Agree with you too on Anita.He is the one who should fill the lb position as he already played there at Ajax as well as here couple of times.
He is the best bet who can deal in that position well compared to the rest availabilities.
Jib
Apr 1, 2016 at 8:37 AM
Comment #3The overrated Frenchman
Coloccini must be well out of favour
With a Spanish speaking coaching team , if he was any good they’d want to utilise him to the max especially if he’s club captain.
sparky55
Apr 1, 2016 at 8:40 AM
Comment #4Like I’ve said on here many times before…he’s a heartless, gutless chicken sh!t and I’ve never understood how on earth Pardew ever made him captain when he’s got none of the required qualities you’d expect from your captain…but then again Pardew’s decision making has always been very suspect as proven yet again at palace.
Only consolation is they’ll both be on the dole come end of May
sing in the corner
Apr 1, 2016 at 8:43 AM
Comment #5Belt an
The problem as I see it is that we could really do with playing Anita at Left back AND defensive midfield. He’s a better bet there than everyone else we have available, assuming Tiote is still injured / not match fit to start.
I think Wij is wasted and pretty anonymous trying to cover next to Shelvey, so the need is greater for Anita to do that job. I can only think of Sissoko for Left back..reluctantly. Either thT or we hoy in a rookie young un.
sing in the corner
Apr 1, 2016 at 8:44 AM
Comment #6* Veltman
jimmysmith
Apr 1, 2016 at 8:47 AM
Comment #7You know what they say. There are 3 certainties in life. Death, taxes, and Alan Pardew and Fabricio Collocini will never sign on.
SPRINGY
Apr 1, 2016 at 8:56 AM
Comment #8morning all
it looks like rafa prefers the 4-2-3-1 formation,and looking at the players available can only see anita or gibson playing leftback…sissoko was getting a big talk up by rafa last week i believe so i’d expect him in a forward position….i maybe wrong but i doubt he would used at left back from the start of a game.
Jib
Apr 1, 2016 at 8:59 AM
Comment #9This is the team that spanked Norwich at SJP back in October
Elliot
Janmaat
Dummett
Mbemba
Coloccini
Sissoko
Tiote
Colback
Wijnaldum
Perez
Mitrovic
Elliot Tiote Colback Colo and Dummett missing
Darlow Shelvey Saivet Lascelles Townsend should be the logical replacements but when was logic ever applicable in footy?