Magpies’ absentees for the long trip to capital

NEWCASTLE United have an opportunity to pile the misery onto Chelsea in a week where the London club found their owner Roman Abramovich sanctioned by the UK government on Thursday.

The Magpies face the Blues at Stamford Bridge today on the back of two away wins at Brentford and Southampton and they are full of confidence thanks to an unbeaten run of nine Premier League games which has seen them win six of the last seven. Joelinton and Allan Saintmaximin

are hoping to be involved in the match to give Eddie Howe more attacking options to choose from, but they will both require late fitness tests after struggling with injuries and illness, and with neither featuring at St Mary’s against Southampton.

However, Howe does still have multiple injury issues to contend with still.

Here is the full list of absences:

Federico Fernandez

The Spanish defender picked up a side strain in training which could keep him out of the trip to Chelsea.

Isaac Hayden

The defensive midfielder has missed the last eight fixtures after having knee surgery. He is not nearing a return yet.

Kieran Trippier

Trippier was on excellent form and played a big part in the club’s turnaround in from before he broke his foot in the win against Aston Villa.

He also had surgery and is hopeful of returning before the end of the season.

Callum Wilson

Newcastle’s number nine tore his calf away at Manchester United in December and, like Trippier, is not expected back until later in the season.

Jamal Lewis

The former Norwich City full-back has been seeing a specialist in Germany after picking up a groin injury which he has been unable to recover from.