Toon raring to go after outbreak
COVID- HIT Newcastle will not use their enforced lay- off as an excuse when they return to Premier League action against West Brom tomorrow.
The Geordies were forced to postpone their match at Aston Villa last Friday due to an outbreak of the virus.
The club’s training ground only reopened on Tuesday with manager Steve Bruce unable to conduct a full- scale training session until the following day.
But wide man Matt Ritchie insists Newcastle cannot wait to get stuck into the Baggies at St James’ Park, dismissing claims that the recent disruption could upset them.
“It’s really good to be back and the boys have come back in good spirits,” he said. “It’s been a difficult time for everybody with the uncertainty but we’re raring to go. There are no excuses.”
Ritchie revealed the Newcastle squad have been kept fully briefed with the latest situation since the outbreak a fortnight ago.
He added: “The lads have been able to train, keep fit and keep our legs moving and since we’ve been back in, it’s been fine.”
Slaven Bilic insists West Brom’s players are queuing up to play Newcastle rather than fretting about coronavirus.
“I didn’t have any guys knocking on my door saying they are worried because Newcastle have cases,” said Baggies manager Bilic, whose side were thumped 5- 1 at home by Crystal Palace last time out and lie 19th. “This is serious football and the Premier League wouldn’t risk the health of the players or Newcastle.
“On the contrary the º boys, if they knock on my door, they knock on my door that they want to play. Newcastle’s game against Villa was postponed because of a number of positive cases.
“But we have got assurances from the Premier League.
“It was Newcastle and the Premier League who were monitoring it. They told us the game was on and we don’t have any doubts.
“The situation improved a lot and the game is on.”