Newcastle United began its public preseason schedule without several senior players as Eddie Howe fielded heavily rotated sides in the first three games of the summer, including the initial behind-closed-doors matchup against Darlington.
The Magpies remain without multiple players either recovering from injuries or granted extended breaks following the World Cup. That said, Howe expects his squad to look considerably stronger during next week’s training camp in Spain’s La Manga.
Striker Will Osula
missed the start of the preseason after suffering tightness in his groin, while center-back Sven Botman has been unavailable of late after taking a blow to the face.
“Sven just took a little knock to the face yesterday in training, but we don’t think it’s anything too serious,” Howe said following the 1-1 draw against Gateshead. “Will just had a tight groin, so again, nothing serious.”
Midfielders Joelinton, another absentee, and Lewis Miley, are still recovering from different issues, with the latter rehabbing a fractured fibula from a late-season injury. Howe indicated both should be ready to participate when Newcastle travels to Spain.
“We anticipate that all the injured players that we have are on a good track at the moment,” Howe said. “They’re all looking like they’ll be back and available around La Manga, maybe Tino Livramento apart. I think the squad’s in relatively good health.”
Regarding Livramento, he remains the main concern after a calf injury forced him to withdraw from England’s World Cup squad. Judging by Howe’s comments, it’s fair to assume that Livramento is unlikely to return to the squad alongside Botman, Osula, Joelinton and Miley during the Spanish camp.
Outside of the aforementioned names, World Cup participants Nick Woltemade, Malick Thiaw, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga, Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes remain on extended leave following the World Cup.
