Newcastle United player spotted training after loan spell - blocked from being named in squad v Forest
Newcastle United players have been pictured back on the training ground ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle United will be looking to build on a 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion last time out when they travel to Nottingham Forest this weekend.
The Magpies have a strong record at the City Ground, having never lost away to Forest in the Premier League.
But Vitor Pereira’s side are on an impressive run of form that has seen them pull away from relegation danger. Forest have won four of their last five Premier League matches, scoring at least three goals in each win.
They will also be looking to secure a Europa League final spot as they take a 1-0 lead into their semi-final second leg against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Thursday night.
Newcastle will be hoping their full week on the training pitch compared to Forest’s huge distraction of a Europa League semi-final will work in their favour come Sunday.
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Training ground injury blow confirmed by NUFC
But Newcastle suffered a setback on the training ground this week when news emerged that Lewis Miley had fractured his fibula in training and would miss the final three matches of the season.
Emil Krafth has also been ruled out for the remainder of the season while Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento will be hoping to return before the final game at Fulham on May 24.
But none of those players were pictured in training on Wednesday. Fortunately, they were the only first-team players who weren’t.
Young quartet spotted in training as goalkeeper returns from loan spell
Typically, Leo Shahar and Sean Neave were part of the first-team training group. The injuries to Krafth, Livramento and now Miley at right-back effectively make Shahar second choice behind Kieran Trippier for the final few matches of the season as the teenager looks to make his Premier League debut after recently returning from injury himself.
Under-21s defender Miodrag Pivas was also pictured with the first-team group along with goalkeper Aidan Harris.
But there was also another goalkeeper addition to the group in the form of 21-year-old Max Thompson.
Thompson has just returned from a half-season loan at Scottish Championship side Ayr United. The young shot-stopper made 10 appearances in all competitions for Ayr, conceding 17 goals and keeping one clean sheet.
He dropped out of the starting line-up for the final month of his loan spell with his last appearance coming on March 27.