Florian Lejeune has made a sort of grand reappearance this week. The club released some images of him training while Steve Bruce made the following statements about both him and Andy Carroll.
"They're on the grass, running… I still think it'll be two/three weeks, at least, before they're joining in with us in training."
Newcastle United head coach Steve Bruce speaks to @bbcnewcastle about the fitness of Andy Carroll and Florian Lejeune #NUFC pic.twitter.com/wdWs3rgzLi
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) August 23, 2019
This was the first we had heard of any definitive news on the French Defender. Really it’s the first we’ve seen of Florian since he came in for the pre-season fitness tests and tweeted the following tweet.
First day of pre-season training! @NUFC pic.twitter.com/YiW1QznjEs
— Florian Lejeune (@lejeune_florian) July 4, 2019
Steve Bruce has spoken some about Lejeune and where he stands in his recovery. It looks like it is getting close for Florian. Here is Steve Bruce’s latest comments as published in the Chronicle.
“Well, Florian was out on the pitch on Tuesday, Wednesday, which I was amazed at.
“I think he’s had three-and-a-half months.
“I think he got back playing four months last year, which is quite remarkable for a cruciate
“Whether that had any effect on the other one, you’ll have to ask the doctors.
“It’s incredibly quick to come back on the pitch so he’s done remarkably well.
“It’s good to see him. He looks a very, very good player.”
Florian made a rapid return last season from a knee injury suffered in pre-season. He made his return at Stamford Bridge on January 12th, and we saw an improved side. Newcastle amassed 17 points during Florian’s twelve games in the team.
There were a lot of reasons for that run of good form. Not least of which was the arrival of Miguel Almiron, who made his debut in February. Florian’s return played a big part.
However, it was less than three months later that he would suffer a serious injury to his other knee. Whether the quick return from his initial injury played any part, we suppose, is pure speculation.
Lejeune should provide a needed boost to the side. We would expect to see him return to full training within the next month. It will be so great to see Florian back on the pitch again.
6 comments so far
Jib
Aug 25, 2019 at 8:43 AM
Comment #1There is actually a section of NUFC support for whom
Bruce can never do anything right.
Given that , plus the period of grace the club will give him
there could be an argument for going shit or bust vs Spurs
and cutting loose.
Ron
Bruce’s squashed nose is the result of it being broken often
he was a totally fearless CB.
Ron Knee
Aug 25, 2019 at 8:51 AM
Comment #2Thanks, Jib.
Nufc-83
Aug 25, 2019 at 8:54 AM
Comment #3This guy pretty much transforms the defence and adds so much to the team whenever he comes back. If he can stay fit would be a top 6 cb imo.
yogz69
Aug 25, 2019 at 9:00 AM
Comment #4Look on the bright side guys if we keep the score under 4 nil we don’t go bottom
hibbit
Aug 25, 2019 at 9:03 AM
Comment #5There was actually a section of NUFC support for whom
Rafa can never do anything right.
Bruce is not the first to face this problem and he defiantly wont be the last !!!
Jib today is not the day for a gung ho performance, the last thing Bruce and the team need is another hammering at Spurs to hammer there confidence even further
yogz69
Aug 25, 2019 at 9:06 AM
Comment #6I don’t think parking the bus will be good enough, I can see jonjo being sent off in the first half and us being thoroughly pumped.