Steve Bruce has a potential injury crisis on his hands once again. It’s nothing new as muscle injuries have been a constant since the 60-year-old was appointed just over 2 years ago.
The biggest worry is with striker Callum Wilson, who according to various reports could be out anywhere from another week to the end of October. Newcastle could find it difficult to absorb his loss if it ends up being the latter.
Newcastle have the following six fixtures through the end of October:
17 Sept – Leeds (Home)
25 Sept – Watford (Away)
2 Oct – Wolves (Away)
17 Oct – Tottenham (Home)
23 Oct – Crystal Palace (Away)
30 Oct – Chelsea (Home)
The probable scenario for Wilson’s return is the Tottenham match after the second international break. Wilson is so important to this team that Bruce may err on the side of caution. So waiting until after the two-week international break seems to make sense.
That would still mean Wilson misses three critical matches against teams in and around us at the moment. Watford and Wolves have just three points while Leeds are on two heading into Friday’s match.
Martin Dubravka and Jonjo Shelvey are the other two long-term injuries. Dubravka is out until November while Shelvey should be getting close to a return to training. The other unknown is Paul Dummett who has just struggled with fitness over the past few seasons.
The defender was close to a return against Southampton a few weeks ago but reaggravated his calf injury. Hopefully, Dummett is close to being available as he provides another option at the back.
Bruce currently has three 18-year-olds training with the senior squad. Dylan Stephenson was called up this week while Joe White made the bench at Old Trafford. Elliot Anderson is working his way back after missing the entirety of pre-season with a chronic hip problem.
Anderson got a 60 minute run out with the U23s on Monday. A match which both Stephenson and White also started. The lads lost 2-0 at West Brom but getting Anderson some minutes on the pitch is at least one positive to take away.
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Here's how #NUFC U23s line-up for tonight's #PL2 clash against West Bromwich Albion.
Kick-off at New Bucks Head is at 7pm (BST). ???? pic.twitter.com/iHUkeBqyMG
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 13, 2021
Bruce is unlikely to rely on any of the youngsters at this stage. Though Anderson could provide an option upfront. However, Bruce went with experience during difficult times last season and probably will do the same barring more injuries in attack.
We’re also waiting on news on Javier Manquillo, Ciaran Clark, and Joe Willock. The three suffered knocks over the weekend forcing their early exits. Hopefully, the news on them is better than what we’ve heard on Callum Wilson.
Bruce also confirmed last week that Ryan Fraser’s ankle injury wasn’t serious. The winger was again injured on international duty but it was later revealed to be just a twisted ankle. We’ll hopefully hear positive news on him and some others during Bruce’s press conference later this week.
159 comments so far
Optimistic prime
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:18 PM
Comment #1Put Bruce on gardening leave, let him play on his tractor, win win.
naptoon
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:22 PM
Comment #2Put Bruce on a slow boat to China to ask for a long stand, glass hammer and tartan paint. He’d come back with Hendricks.
Wor B
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:22 PM
Comment #3Uncertain is a cool dude…
Absolute zero, technically known as zero kelvins, equals ?273.15 degrees Celsius, or -459.67 Fahrenheit.
😆
Jail for Ashley
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:23 PM
Comment #4ch,
That’s not true. UT/W ran out of Carling once and I was very worried about him 😕
TTB@W ARMY
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:23 PM
Comment #5Only good things Bruce is for trick or treating and scarecrow festival.
TTB@W ARMY
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:26 PM
Comment #6Speaking of lager didn’t think much of that 18pk Stella so I’ll be trying some of that Morretti this weekend, 3 for £5 in Tesco.
naptoon
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:26 PM
Comment #7Aye you often see him perched by trees up weardale way.
coming home
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:26 PM
Comment #8Jail
Fair enough I’ll yield to that
naptoon
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:28 PM
Comment #93 18 packs for a fiver …. should’ve got them first time out lol.
coming home
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:29 PM
Comment #10I’ve heard on the grapevine Kets is struggling to put a team out for Friday
TTB@W ARMY
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:30 PM
Comment #11That’s a club card deal only, apologies if I got anyone’s hopes up who isn’t a regular Tesco customer.
Optimistic prime
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:30 PM
Comment #12I’d prefer if Kets picked the team fir Friday
naptoon
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:30 PM
Comment #13Did shaquira injury himself belly dancing.
coming home
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:31 PM
Comment #14Tesco’s are very unfair to sainsbury shoppers
coming home
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:32 PM
Comment #15OP
I tend to agreed
Nicky the ball tosser
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:33 PM
Comment #16Has to be a proper 343 at home v Leeds, none of this 541 shit, with I’d hope Dummett in on the left of Lascelles or Fede, for his extra pace and committed defending and maybe Schar on the right, for his distribution. Willock and Sean in tandem in front of the back 3, and Almiron, St Max and Joel up top, with lots of interchanging and movement among the 3 of them. Forget about Gayle, who’s just not a starter at all in a game of this consequence. Manquillo if fit, and Lewis on the other side, although frankly that’s a worry.
naptoon
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:35 PM
Comment #17They murdered us twice last year …. I’m not hopeful that our master tactician can out strategise bielsa.
Wor B
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:36 PM
Comment #18Demba Ba announces retirement!
Maybe that’s why Kets is struggling to name a team?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58551909
TTB@W ARMY
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:37 PM
Comment #19Lewis should have played as soon as survival was guaranteed last season, would have put a bit of confidence back into him playing games with no pressure on.
coming home
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:37 PM
Comment #20Ah here is nicky with some real savey on team selection
Sack Ketsy and get nicky in and Leeds could be in serious trouble
coming home
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:39 PM
Comment #21TTB
I’ve got serious doubts on Lewis
Uncertain Toon/World
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:39 PM
Comment #22It’s a horrendous experience when you have no access to the Carling. Wouldn’t wish that on any Carling drinker. Sausage, bacon and ham. Same.
coming home
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:40 PM
Comment #23I think if playing 5 at the back I would have manquillo on left and Munster on the right
coming home
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:41 PM
Comment #24Lol I might change Munster for Murphy
naptoon
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:42 PM
Comment #25Lewis is good going forward but his confidence is so shot he’s always looking backwards atm. He needs some careful handling to get the best out of him again doubt Bruceless is the man for that.
TTB@W ARMY
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:43 PM
Comment #26Coming Home I think he’s decent just totally shot of confidence, needs a Dummet beside him rather than Clarke,that and a decent manager.
Uncertain Toon/World
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:43 PM
Comment #274-2-3-1 and we might stay up, with an actual striker up top that is.
Uncertain Toon/World
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:46 PM
Comment #28Maxi isn’t Terry Henry, how about the bloke we just gave a 3 year contract to for the purpose of being understudy to Wilson
coming home
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:48 PM
Comment #29Yeah it’s possible that Lewis isn’t as bad as he looks
Maybe under Rafa or a decent manager/coach could be OK but to be honest he looks crap when I’ve seen him
Wor B
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:48 PM
Comment #30CH
Lol, if you’re gonna play Munster on the right, it seems only fair and balanced to have lesh on the left!
😉
naptoon
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:48 PM
Comment #31Another one that looks like he’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders.
naptoon
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:49 PM
Comment #32Gayle that is.
coming home
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:51 PM
Comment #33WorB
Lol yeah I agree Lesh has to play on the left
Ron Knee
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:52 PM
Comment #34He got a brace against Norwich. Why didn’t SB build on that?
coming home
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:52 PM
Comment #35WorB
And that prov1 you found was mine
naptoon
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:53 PM
Comment #364-5-1
Manny fed lasc Dummett
Hayden Longstaff
Miggy Willock maxi
Striker anyone ….if only we had a big lump who could hold the ball up for the speedsters in the 3 att mid roles to feed off on the break.(while wilson is injured)
naptoon
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:54 PM
Comment #37Ron
Cos he’s a knacker every time Gayle looks to be getting a bit form Bruceless puts him in a box till his confidence is all shrivelled up.
naptoon
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:55 PM
Comment #38Or he gets a knock.
coming home
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:55 PM
Comment #39Naptoon
Your team looks canny to me
You got the job lad
naptoon
Sep 14, 2021 at 9:56 PM
Comment #40Missing a striker though …. fatman get your dosh out.