Newcastle United handed £90m double boost ahead of Bristol - but several key players remain out
Newcastle United team news v Bristol City: Newcastle have arrived at Ashton Gate ahead of Wednesday’s pre-season friendly against Bristol City.
Newcastle United have been handed a double boost ahead of the friendly match at Bristol City - but several first team players remain out.
Sven Botman missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Gateshead due to a facial injury but is back with the squad at Ashton Gate on Wednesday evening. Anthony Elanga is also back involved following his World Cup break while the likes of Nick Woltemade, Malick Thiaw, Yoane Wissa and Bazoumana Toure are not involved after returning to training this week.
Newcastle’s latest signing Aladji Bamba is also not involved despite training ahead of the match.
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William Osula, Joelinton, Lewis Miley and Tino Livramento remain sidelined due to injury while Bruno Guimaraes and Dan Burn remain on leave following their World Cup exploits with Brazil and England respectively.
Ahead of the Bristol City match, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe dropped a team news hint, with the majority of players expected to join up with the squad in Spain next week.
“Sven just took a little knock to the face [on Friday] in training, but we don't think it's anything too serious,” Howe said.
“Will just had a tight groin, so again, nothing serious. We anticipate that all the injured players that we have are on a good track at the moment.
“They're all looking like they'll be back in and available around La Manga, maybe Tino Liveramento apart. So I think the squad's in relatively good health.”
On the new signings and returning player, Howe added: “Maybe we'll just have to see their physical state when we get them. We want to make sure that when they enter the pitch, they're in a good condition to play. I don't see why that shouldn't be relatively quick."
After Bristol City, Newcastle will fly to a training camp at La Manga in Spain, which will conclude with a friendly match at Valencia on August 8.
Newcastle United confirmed line-up v Bristol City
NUFC XI v Bristol City: Jaouen; J. Murphy, Schar, Botman, Hall; Steur, Willock, Ramsey; Elanga, Barnes, Neave