Newcastle United injury U-turn ahead of Sunderland with alternative already named - this will divide opinion
Eddie Howe has issued a Newcastle United squad fitness update ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Sunderland.
Newcastle United head into Sunday’s Premier League match at Sunderland on the back of a 2-2 draw at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The match saw Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley cancel out Bruno Guimaraes’ early own goal before Alejandro Grimaldo scored a late equaliser for the Bundesliga side. Despite dropping two points late on, the draw will almost certainly be enough to see Newcastle advance to the next stage of the competition.
But in addition to the late blow, Newcastle suffered an injury blow earlier in the match with Joelinton forced off with a groin issue.
The Brazilian will be assessed ahead of the weekend’s match at the Stadium of Light but is a doubt for the match.
Newcastle United team news ahead of Sunderland
Newcastle were without Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Emil Krafth and William Osula at Bayer Leverkusen due to injury.
Pope has missed the last four matches with a groin problem while Botman is recovering from a back injury and subsequent injection. Trippier suffered a hamstring injury in training during the November international break and hasn’t featured in over a month while Krafth and Osula have also been out since early November with respective knee and ankle issues.
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When asked if any players had a chance of returning to action on Sunday, Howe said: “I don't think so. I mean, there is a slight, ‘I don't think so’ because we've got a few days to see.
“I haven't been in contact with those guys for a few days, having travelled out here. So, yeah, I think that's where we are.”
But when asked for some more clarity on Pope’s recovery, Howe changed his tune slightly.
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Nick Pope surprise return?
The Newcastle goalkeeper has missed the last four matches following a groin injury picked up in training. The injury came amid calls for Pope to be dropped from the side after his costly mistake in Marseille.
Aaron Ramsdale has came into the side and while Newcastle have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last four matches with the Southampton loanee in goal, they are also unbeaten with two wins and two draws.
Providing a further update on Pope, Howe said: “I don't know [if Pope will be back v Sunderland]. I think Nick might be the closest in the group that was mentioned a second ago. But I'm not sure how he feels.”
Eddie Howe facing big call
Earlier this month, Howe suggested Pope would be back available for selection ‘around Christmas’ with Newcastle facing Chelsea at St James’ Park on December 20 before a trip to Manchester United on Boxing Day.
Upon Pope’s return, Howe will face a big selection call whether to introduce the goalkeeper back into the starting line-up or keep Ramsdale in goal.
The Magpies boss faced a similar issue with Pope and Martin Dubravka last season but ultimately Pope returned to the side.
It was a decision that divided opinion at the time but was ultimately vindicated by Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win and Champions League qualification. And it’s set to be a contentious goalkeeping call once again.