Are chances slim of Islam making debut this week?
ON-LOAN STRIKER STILL FIGHTING INJURY
SATURDAY will mark two months since Islam Slimani arrived on Tyneside – but it now appears doubtful the striker will be fit to finally make his Newcastle United debut by then.
The 29-year-old appears highly unlikely to start against Huddersfield Town, given he is still sidelined with a thigh problem.
However, Slimani has linked up with the Algeria team in recent days and could yet feature for his home country against Iran tomorrow.
But when will the on-loan Leicester City striker, who has already missed five competitive games since joining the Magpies, finally make his Newcastle debut?
If he isn’t fit this weekend, then when will fans finally see him in a black-and-white shirt? HUDDERSFIELD TOWN (H) Saturday, March 31 An outside chance The 29-year-old is yet to play a single minute for Newcastle since signing on deadline day in January, yet Slimani could still feature for Algeria during this international break.
Slimani flew out to Spain with the United squad but trained away from the main group due to a thigh issue he has had since leaving Leicester on loan almost two months ago.
There is a chance Slimani could make his Newcastle debut off the bench against Huddersfield on Saturday – even though the striker did not feature during Algeria’s 4-1 win over Tanzania last week.
Algeria’s assistant coach Djamel Menad suggested over the weekend that Slimani was doubtful for the game against Iran.
But, if Slimani does get a run-out for his national team, then he could find himself on the bench for United on Saturday.
Interestingly though, Benitez has warned Slimani that he will find himself down the pecking order once fit due to the form of Dwight Gayle, Joselu and even Ayoze Perez.
“If he’s fine, it means he will have more chances to compete against the others,” Benitez said last weekend.
“If they are doing well, he has to be better than them. It’s not as if he will come and go straight [into our team] and make the difference.
“The others are doing well, and he has to compete with them. It’s positive, because we have more competition in one position.”
Seemingly Slimani’s debut, whenever it will be, will come as a substitute, rather than as a starter. LEICESTER CITY (A) Saturday, April 7 Definitely no Slimani for this one Even if Slimani makes a surprise appearance during Newcastle’s huge relegation clash against Huddersfield on Saturday, the striker will be absent from the squad the following weekend.
United travel to the King Power Stadium on April 7 to take on Claude Puel’s Leicester.
Given the Foxes are Slimani’s parent club, Premier League regulations mean he will be ineligible for that fixture, regardless of his fitness. ARSENAL (H) Sunday, April 15 This now seems like Slimani’s probable debut If Slimani fails to recover from his thigh problem in time to face visiting Huddersfield in five days’ time, then he will have 15 days to prepare himself for his probable debut date against Arsenal at St James’ Park.
The Magpies host the Gunners on Tyneside on April 15 and Slimani will likely be in the match-day squad for that game if he recovers from his thigh problem in time.
That would be a full 74 days – and seven competitive matches – after his arrival, and Slimani will have just half-a-dozen games to try to make an impact on the field for United. to do.
“Jonjo has different qualities and the opportunity to be able to play (at Newcastle),” Sherwood said on Sky Sports’ The Debate.
“The position for him in that side would be where Henderson played today.
“The question is going to be discipline. Is he going to step in to centre-back when Kyle Walker bombs on and is overlapping on the right-hand side?
“Henderson automatically does that – he sees it, smells it. Eric Dier does the same.”
That being said, Sherwood recognises the qualities Shelvey brings on the ball and believes there should be a place for him within the 23-man squad.
“He is different class when he has got the ball, Jonjo,” he added.
“He can pick a pass. He is not afraid to give the ball, he has a swagger about him.
“Without a doubt he should be in and around the squad.”