Eddie Howe has provided an interesting injury update ahead of Newcastle United’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.
With the international break now over, the Newcastle United squad can get back to sorting out their season after an inconsistent start to the campaign.
The Premier League is the big issue, with the Magpies down in 14th place after 11 games. That is not good enough, and Eddie Howe has worked hard during the international break to find a solution to his team’s problems.
The Newcastle United manager also has injury issues to deal with ahead of the return of domestic football, but he has been able to provide some positive news before facing Manchester City.
Eddie Howe offers Sandro Tonali and Nick Pope boosts before Newcastle United vs Manchester City
After Howe was inducted into the Newcastle United Hall of Fame on Tuesday night, the Toon boss provided a positive update on the fitness of Sandro Tonali and Nick Pope.
The former missed Italy’s last World Cup qualifier against Norway, while the latter was substituted in Newcastle’s defeat to Brentford due to a concussion.
However, both are expected to be involved in Saturday’s game against Man City at St James’ Park.
Howe told BBC Newcastle: “Sandro should be fine. Nick had concussion, but he’s passed the protocols there so he should be fine.”
With both players likely to be fit, they should feature in Howe’s starting XI. That is a blow for Aaron Ramsdale, who will have been hoping to receive his first Premier League start after replacing Pope against Brentford.
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Eddie Howe confirms Anthony Gordon’s status ahead of Manchester City
While there is positive news regarding Tonali and Pope, the situation regarding Anthony Gordon is less clear.
He missed the Brentford defeat with a hip injury, and it has been reported that Gordon is a doubt to face Man City.
Howe confirmed that on Tuesday night, as he addressed the 24-year-old’s fitness.
“Anthony, we’ll wait and see,” he said.
“He’ll be touch and go for the game.”
Howe also spoke about Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall and Yoane Wissa, with the latter definitely set to miss Saturday’s clash with Pep Guardiola’s side. The hope is that Wissa can make his debut against Everton, as he steps up his recovery from a knee injury.
Howe said: “We’ve still got a few that we’re nursing back. Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, still in the early stages. Although he [Hall] has made a couple of really good appearances.
“Yoane Wissa is still out, but starting to up his work now. So we look in a healthier place.”
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