Steve Bruce reveals 'major' Newcastle United injury doubt

Steve Bruce is sweating on the fitness of one Newcastle United player for Sunday's game against Everton.
Steve Bruce at Molineux.Steve Bruce at Molineux.
Steve Bruce at Molineux.

Bruce’s side entertain the Premier League leaders at St James's Park in a televised game, and the club’s head coach has revealed that defender Jamaal Lascelles, his captain, is a “major doubt” with a foot injury suffered in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

"One major concern from last week is the captain, who’s limped off,” said Bruce, whose side is 14th in the table after taking eight points from their first six Premier League games.

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“He’s got a foot injury. We’ll see how he is. We’ve still got 48 hours or so. Everybody else is OK.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Isaac Hayden, an unused substitute at Molineux after giving the club an injury scare against Manchester United eight days earlier, is fit to start against Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton team on Tyneside after training all week.

Bruce said: “He’s fine. It looks as if he’s recovered. He’s trained all week.”

Bruce is without midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, who had a hernia operation in London this week. Midfielders Sean and Matty Longstaff, however, are available after recovering from illness and injury respectively.

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"Matty’s played a game and a half (for the club’s Under-23s,” said Bruce. “Thankfully, it looks as if he’s over his injury, and Sean’s recovered from tonsillitis. They come into the equation.

“They’ve had a few problems, especially young Matty with the contract situation and injury. They’ve both got something to offer."

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