Newcastle United forward suffers fresh injury as triple blow confirmed
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has given an important update on the injury status of his squad during their pre-season tour in Tokyo. As the Magpies prepare for upcoming friendly matches against Urawa Red Diamonds and Yokohama F. Marinos, Howe shared insights on the fitness and availability of several key players.
Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff, and Lloyd Kelly: Fitness Progress
In their recent 2-0 friendly win over Hull City, Newcastle United missed the presence of Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff, and new signing Lloyd Kelly. These players are currently focusing on their fitness. However, after traveling to Tokyo, Howe is optimistic about their involvement in the upcoming games.
“I think you can expect to see them in one of the two games, probably more towards the Saturday, the second game, but all three trained today and trained well, so they look in a good place,” Howe said.
Newcastle United is set to face Urawa Red Diamonds on Wednesday at 11:30 am BST, followed by a match against Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday at 11 am BST. The inclusion of Willock, Longstaff, and Kelly in these matches will be crucial as the team gears up for the new season.
Unexplained Absences: Garang Kuol, Joe White, and Alex Murphy
Three players had unexplained absences for the trip to Japan: forward Garang Kuol, midfielder Joe White, and defender Alex Murphy. These players had previously been involved in pre-season training at Adidas Headquarters in Germany but did not travel with the squad to Japan.
“With Garang, we’re waiting to see what happened with him,” Howe explained. “He’s got a little bit of swelling in his knee, so we’re not sure if he’ll be okay.
“Joe White is nursing a sore back, so again, we’re assessing that one, and Alex will be out for a couple of weeks with a hip problem.”
In a positive development, Bruno Guimaraes will join the squad this week for the first time this pre-season. The Brazilian midfielder was given extra time off after his participation in the Copa America. His return will bolster Newcastle’s midfield options and provide a significant boost to the team’s preparations.
Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon are the only two senior players yet to return to the squad. Both players represented England at Euro 2024 and were given extended breaks following the tournament. Their return will be highly anticipated as they bring experience and quality to the squad.
As Newcastle United continues their pre-season preparations in Tokyo, the focus remains on getting the squad to full fitness and integrating new signings. The matches against Urawa Red Diamonds and Yokohama F. Marinos will provide valuable opportunities for the players to gain match fitness and for Howe to assess his squad ahead of the new season.
With the Premier League season fast approaching, Newcastle United will be keen to build momentum and ensure their key players are ready for the challenges ahead.
The return of Willock, Longstaff, Kelly, and Guimaraes will be crucial in achieving this goal. The pre-season tour in Japan offers a perfect platform for the team to gel and fine-tune their strategies.
While Newcastle United has faced some injury challenges, the overall outlook remains positive. The return of key players and the integration of new signings like Lloyd Kelly will strengthen the squad.
Eddie Howe’s strategic approach to managing player fitness and ensuring readiness for the new season is evident in his careful handling of the squad during the pre-season tour.
As the Magpies continue their preparations, fans can look forward to seeing a well-prepared and competitive team take on the challenges of the upcoming season. The pre-season tour in Tokyo not only serves as a fitness exercise but also as a critical phase in building team cohesion and readiness for a successful Premier League campaign.
In other news, Minteh scores again; already looking like a humongous mistake to let him go.
