Rodrigo Vilca claim as depleted Newcastle United squad prepares for West Bromwich Albion

An outbreak of Covid-19 infections has left Steve Bruce without a “significant” number of players ahead of tomorrow’s game against West Bromwich Albion.

Bruce could call upon one or more Under-23 players for the game, but Vilca, signed from Peruvian club Deportivo Municipal this summer, will not be involved, according journalist Franz Tamayo. The 21-year-old midfielder, it’s claimed, will instead play in tonight’s Premier League 2 fixture against Stoke City at Whitley Park.

However, Elliot Anderson – who has been captaining the Under-23s and training with the first-team squad this season – could again be involved, having been an unused substitute against Crystal Palace a fortnight ago.

The midfielder – who signed a new long-term contract at St James’s Park on his 18th birthday – has won praise from Bruce after impressing with the senior squad.

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