Newcastle have picked up four injuries in our last two games to Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dwight Gayle, Isaac Hayden and Vernon Anita.
Mitro should be back in a couple of weeks, Gayle in two to three weeks, Isaac in about a week, but unlucky Vurnon Anita is out for two to three months with his ankle injury.
Unfortunately Vurnon has suffered ligament damage.
Vurnon Anita – has picked up ankle ligament damage
The other injuries we currently have are to Rolando Aarons (out for the season with his ACL knee injury) and Jesus Gamez who is almost fit from his shoulder injury.
Returning loan players Sammy Ameobi, Haris Vuckic and Jamie Sterry are all cup-tied and Chancel Mbemba, Mo Diame and Cristian Atsu are off at the Africa Cup of Nations.
So Newcastle are struggling to put out a team against Birmingham City tomorrow night in the FA Cup 3rd round replay with 12 first team players not available.
In-form goalkeeper Darlow still thinks we can cope with all those players missing as the 26 year-old has been interviewed in the local papers today as reported in the Chronicle:
“Obviously Dwight’s a massive player for us and has been fantastic,”
“To see him go off was tough on us, but Murph came on and scored the winner – which was excellent.”
“He’s trained very hard behind the scenes and is a great player.”
“I think it’s been spoken about a lot that we’ve got a great squad,”
“Whoever comes in and replaces the other one has just as much quality.”
“The lads on the bench are obviously keen to play, and when they get their chance they have to take it.”
“Murph scored the winner, which was fantastic.”
For the tie at Birmingham City a week last Saturday Rafa made eight changes and he’s likely to give some fringe players a game tomorrow night too.
But it looks like a few players will also be needed for the game against Rotherham United on Saturday.
The good news is that Jonjo Shelvey will return after serving his five game suspension.
It would be great if we can win these next two games with the depleted squad.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
8 comments so far
Jib
Jan 17, 2017 at 7:53 AM
Comment #1I woudn’t be too sure about Aarons being out for too long .
He seems to be making a quick recovery after going under the knife at the remarkable Villa Stuart Sports Clinic in Rome.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 17, 2017 at 7:55 AM
Comment #2expat,
The FFP dreamed up by the two most corrupt men not just in foitball but in the world of business, who’s monitoring the Chinese spending.
Jib
Jan 17, 2017 at 7:55 AM
Comment #3Some sources are also saying Hayden could be back for the home game vs Rotherham on Saturday.
Jib
Jan 17, 2017 at 8:02 AM
Comment #4The game on Saturday is being televised live in Germany , Slovakia , Poland , Bulgaria , Serbia , Denmark and Sweden !
There should be a rake of streams.
lochinvar
Jan 17, 2017 at 8:05 AM
Comment #5West Brom have made a bid of about £10m for Hull’s Jake Livermore after missing out on Morgan Schneiderlin.
If this was the case and we are after Snodgrass then we should do the deal otherwise there’s not going to be anyone left at Hull. Just wonder if they are preparing to go down so will offload players now to recoup what fees and wages they can.
Bazza102
Jan 17, 2017 at 8:39 AM
Comment #6Who would ur team be for Birmingham game? Think I’d like to go with 4-4-2
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Lazaar
Gouffran Tiote Shelvey Ritchie
Perez Murphy
Australian Pie
Jan 17, 2017 at 9:23 AM
Comment #7Jib he will be gone for the season, ruptured ACL alone will keep him at least 9 months if everything went perfectly and there was no secondary injury (chondral damage, meniscal other ligamentous injury), and at his age/injury history they are much more likely to hold him out for 12 months. Any earlier and get ready for another Rolando injury.
Sav
Jan 17, 2017 at 10:06 AM
Comment #8Had we played not played a weakened team in the first FA Cup game would we have had to play on Wednesday at all? I bet Rafa is rueing that decision now. At least we must win this one in 90 minutes. Win the match in the first half and then play on the break. Get the job done! HTL!