Newcastle United handed training ground injury boost - summer signing pushing to return v Hull City
Newcastle United injuries: Matthias Jaissle’s side could have one player back from injury this weekend.
Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle admitted ‘it doesn’t look good’ for any players to return from injury against Hull City this Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Nico Gonzalez is out after being withdrawn against Leeds United as a concussion substitution, while Anthony Elanga, Joelinton, Dan Burn and William Osula are out. Jacob Ramsey is also a doubt after suffering an injury in the warm-up against Leeds.
But one player closing in on a return is goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen. Nick Pope has been on the bench for Newcastle’s last three matches as back-up goalkeeper to Lukas Hornicek.
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Jaouen had been the preferred option on the bench under Jaissle after Pope was made available to leave but failed to secure an exit before the transfer deadline. The 20-year-old goalkeeper, who joined Newcastle from Stade de Reims in the summer for £18million, suffered an ankle injury in training on the eve of Newcastle’s last home match against AFC Bournemouth.
That saw Pope return to the side for the match against the Cherries and keep his place on the bench against Millwall and Leeds.
Jaouen went for a scan on his ankle before seeing a specialist in London last week, which allayed fears of a serious injury. The Gazette understands Jaouen has been back on the grass this week with the hope of being back involved in the matchday squad against Hull on Saturday.
The French goalkeeper joined the Magpies with the understanding that he would be given first-team experience in the cup competitions. After making his debut in the Carabao Cup second round win over West Bromwich Albion, Jaouen was injured for the third round match at Millwall, with Hornicek starting in his absence.
Newcastle will play Everton away in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup next month. But first, Jaissle’s side will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at Leeds, when they host Hull at St James’ Park on Saturday.
The defeat at Elland Road was Newcastle’s first under Jaissle in six matches but they are also yet to pick up a Premier League win at St James’ Park under the new head coach following 2-2 draws against Liverpool and Bournemouth.
Newly-promoted Hull have made an unbeaten start to the new season with eight points from their opening four games.