NEWCASTLE
BRUCE IS LEFT FLO-UNDERING
STEVE BRUCE has a mounting injury list ahead of Newcastle’s game against Leicester on Wednesday.
Federico Fernandez is his only fit centre-back with both goalscorer Fabian Schar and Florian Lejeune picking up knocks in the 2-1 defeat against Everton.
The effects of a third game in a week took its toll on Lejeune, who has only just returned after eight months out with a knee ligament injury, while Schar tweaked his hamstring.
Club captain Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark are still sidelined and Paul Dummett has missed the last two games with a groin problem. “You get mistakes and injuries because of fatigue,” said Bruce (above), a fierce critic of the festive schedule. “We’ve asked Flo to play three games simply because of the problems we’ve had. With the size of the squad and the injuries, that’s what you get.
“We’ll have to see how he is and it’s the same with Schar’s hamstring. Joelinton is complaining of a calf injury too.
“We predicted it. That’s why I made four changes and Everton made five but the players are obviously fatigued.”
Dubravka ......................................... 7 Schar .............................................. 6 Fernandez ...................................... 6 Lejeune .......................................... 5 Yedlin .............................................. 5 Hayden BOOKED ............................. 6 Shelvey ........................................... 6 Almiron ........................................... 5 Willems ............................................ 7 Carroll ............................................. 7 Joelinton BOOKED .......................... 6
Atsu (Lejeune 74) ........................... 5 Gayle (Joelinton 74) ...................... 5 S Longstaff (Willems 85)
Referee Lee Mason Attendance 52,211