Virus victims returning – but Toon numbers are still down
SQUAD G EARS UP FOR LEEDS CLASH
NEWCASTLE United players returned to training yesterday following their win over West Brom with the midweek clash against Leeds United on the horizon.
Steve Bruce’s side managed to grind out a victory over the relegation battlers at St James’ Park on Saturday, Dwight Gayle’s bullet header eight minutes’ from time settling the contest.
Miguel Almiron gave the Magpies the perfect start with the opening goal after just 20 seconds.
However, Slaven Bilic’s side grew into the contest and threatened to snatch only their second victory of the season when Darnell Furlong equalised after the break.
In the end, a much-changed United side edged out the Baggies and is now just three points off the European places.
Marcelo Bielsa’s team is next on the agenda for the Magpies, their visit to Elland Road tomorrow night followed by a home clash with Fulham on Saturday.
Here is what we learned as the Magpies were back in training ahead of their clash with Leeds:
FEDE IS BACK
It was news Federico Fernandez confirmed in a social media post but it is still good to see the defender back in action following a bout of Covid-19.
United’s makeshift defence fared well in the victory over West Brom, Isaac Hayden in particular impressing in an unfamiliar role following his own spell on the sidelines.
However, it will be a huge boost for Bruce to have Fernandez back at his disposal, even if he is not ready to start at Leeds.
The 31-year-old has established himself as a mainstay at the heart of defence in the last 18 months.
NOTABLE ABSENTEES
Bruce had revealed his hope he would be able to welcome two players back into the fold in time to face Leeds, having been forced to reshuffle his pack at the weekend.
Fernandez returned to training but a number of others were noticeable by their continued absence.
The most notable of these was Allan Saint-Maximin, who has not featured in black and white since the defeat to Chelsea almost a month ago.
Javier Manquillo, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar and Mark Gillespie were also absent from the training gallery, having also missed out on the matchday squad at the weekend.
HAYDEN CARRIES ON
Hayden was praised by Bruce and fans alike for a solid shift against West Brom after being bed-ridden by coronavirus for 10 days and was pictured back in training yesterday. Hayden performed admirably considering the circumstances but with two more fixtures this week questions must be raised as to whether the 25-year-old’s fitness can stand up to the test.
BROWN INVOLVED
Teenage goalkeeper Dan Langley was named on the Magpies’ bench for the first time at the weekend, having trained with the first-team in recent weeks due to the absences of Martin Dubravka and Gillespie.
There was also a place in the squad for Will Brown who has been a regular in the under-23s so far this season, making three appearances in Premier League Two as well as playing twice in the Papa John’s Trophy.
Yesterday’s training gallery confirmed Brown is continuing to deputise in first-team training, with pictures indicating the teenager and Karl Darlow faced penalties towards the end of the session.