Matthias Jaissle drops Matias Fernandez-Pardo hint ahead of Newcastle United v Leeds United
Matias Fernandez has been limited to two substitute appearances since joining Newcastle United.
Newcastle United’s new £51million signing Matias Fernandez-Pardo is effectively going through a mini pre-season, according to boss Matthias Jaissle.
The 21-year-old joined the Magpies from Lille on deadline day last Tuesday before making his debut four days later, coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute in Saturday’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Bournemouth.
With the Carabao Cup providing an opportunity to rotate, many expected Fernandez-Pardo to make his first start in Tuesday night’s third round trip to Millwall. Instead, he was once again introduced from the bench, playing a role in Joe Willock’s 81st-minute winner.
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Matias Fernandez-Pardo undergoing ‘mini pre-season’
Newcastle are next in action away to Leeds United in the Premier League on Monday night, and Fernandez-Pardo may have to settle for another substitute appearance as he works on his fitness.
The Belgian hasn’t started a competitive match since May and didn’t feature in any of Lille’s opening matches due to the speculation surrounding his future.
Jaissle said: “We need to be careful with such a young player, who didn't play now for a long time, over 90 minutes, so therefore we see him almost like in a pre-season at the moment.
“We take that slowly and step-by-step, and then if there's time to start, then we start.”
With Will Osula sidelined with the foot injury he sustained in the Premier League opening day draw at home to Liverpool, Yoane Wissa and Willock have started each of the last four games in the central attacking positions.
Wissa scored in the Premier League win away to Tottenham Hotspur, while Willock’s goal at Millwall was his second of the campaign after netting against Liverpool.