Newcastle United host Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday in what could be a pivotal game in their hopes of qualifying for European football. Eddie Howe’s side have won back-to-back league games and will be keen to avenge the 3-1 defeat they suffered against the Seagulls back in September.
Newcastle were outplayed on that day and were downed by an Evan Ferguson hat-trick. However, they won’t have to face the Republic of Ireland international this weekend after injury prematurely curtailed his season.
Along with Ferguson, Roberto De Zerbi has a number of other injury concerns to deal with ahead of his side’s trip to the north east with a clutch of key players not set to feature again this campaign. Howe, meanwhile, is in a position to potentially welcome back a couple of players with Joelinton and Miguel Almiron, who featured from the bench last weekend, both pushing for a start.
Nick Pope, meanwhile, was an unused substitute last weekend but could be in-line for his first start since early-December. Here, we take a look at the latest injury news from both Newcastle United and Brighton ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash.
1. Adam Lallana - doubt
Lallana missed Brighton’s win over Aston Villa through injury and is a doubt to face the Magpies. Photo: Clive Rose
2. Jan Paul van Hecke - doubt
Van Hecke hasn’t featured in Brighton’s last two outings with De Zerbi revealing he isn’t sure when he will have the defender back in contention. Photo: Mike Hewitt
3. James Milner - out
De Zerbi is hopeful of having Milner back in action soon, but the former Magpies man hasn’t featured in the league for the Seagulls since January. Photo: Bryn Lennon
4. Tariq Lamptey - doubt
Lamptey once ripped Newcastle United to shreds, but a muscle injury means he is unlikely to feature from the off this weekend. Photo: Steve Bardens