ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 19: Yankuba Minteh of Feyenoord Rotterdam looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between Feyenoord and Celtic FC at Feyenoord Stadium on September 19, 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by NESimages/Herman Dingler/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Four Brighton stars ruled out of Newcastle United clash but Fabian Hurzeler could get triple boost.
Both Newcastle and Brighton have injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe is hoping to welcome back two key players to his squad for Saturday’s Premier League showdown with European rivals Brighton. But the visitors are making the journey north without four key players as Fabian Hurzeler assesses his side during the international break.
The Magpies could have strikers Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson available this weekend, with United having to operate without a recognised No 9 since Isak picked up a broken toe in the win at Wolves. Wilson has been missing all season with a back injury from pre-season, and their return would be a double boost for Howe.
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However, Brighton look like being without forward Joao Pedro, with an ankle injury likely to rule the Brazilian out of the St James’ Park trip. He joins first-choice centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke on the sidelines, with the Dutchman out with a groin injury.
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Summer signing Matt O’Riley is another casualtiy, with the former Celtic star out with an ankle knock, and defender Adam Webster will out sit the game out with a hamstring strain. It’s not all bad news for Hurzeler, though, as he could welcome back Simon Adingra to his travelling party. He has recovered from a hamstring problem and is likely to make the squad.
Former Newcastle United midfielder James Milner should be available again after a few weeks out, while Soly March could make his long-awaited return, having spent almost a year out with a knee injury.
“He’s going step-by-step,” Hurzeler said of March last month. “He’s now training fully with us but it is not that he can train already in every training session. We have to be very patient. We have to go step-by-step, but the positive thing is that he’s back on the training pitch.
“He can go at this intensity. He’s in a very good shape. We are all impressed how good he is already after his long injury. It’s now about not putting pressure on him. It’s about helping him, giving him a good environment where he can adapt quickly. He’s very, very professional. You really feel that he wants to come back on the pitch as quick as possible and therefore we give him all the time, but also all the help he needs.”
Newcastle will again be without Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles who are both recovering from ACL surgery, while Kieran Trippier faces a few weeks on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury in the goalless draw at Everton.
