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Newcastle United and Leicester City have suffered fresh injury blows ahead of this afternoon’s Premier League meeting at St James’ Park.
The Magpies are set to be without their No.1 goalkeeper Nick Pope over the festive period after he picked up a knee issue in last weekend’s 4-2 defeat at Brentford.
Pope visited a specialist on Friday morning and will be missing until the middle of January. That is likely to hand Martin Dubravka his first Premier League start of the campaign.
Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick PopeNewcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope
Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope | Getty Images
Meanwhile, United have confirmed Callum Wilson will be sidelined for the next eight weeks after he too sustained a hamstring issue at Brentford. The 32-year-old had only just returned from four months out with a back problem.
He ends his 2024 having made just two starts and 10 appearances in total.
“I really feel for Callum because we see the work, the dedication and professionalism that he's shown, not just in his recovery from this injury but throughout his career,” said Eddie Howe. “For me, he is an inspirational player, I think when you are in these moments for him you have to understand how difficult this season has been for him.
“He's had a couple of setbacks when it looks like he's been so close to training and playing regularly and building that resilience that his body needs to perform at this level.
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“He has not cut corners, he's gone through a rigorous process to try and keep himself fit and I'm talking about him taking himself away from his family for long periods of time dedicating himself to no distractions and seeking the best specialist opinions that he sometimes he'd paid himself so when you go to that level of dedication to give yourself the best chance to perform and when you see him not get the result this time, I feel really sad for him.
“I back him to come back again and have the mental resilience he is going to need to fight again and fight hard. We know his qualities and we're desperate to see him play again in a Newcastle shirt and score goals.”
The pair join Sven Botman, who is only a few weeks away from returning from an ACL injury, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth in the treatment room.
Leicester City team news
Jamie Vardy of Leicester City smiles with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manager of Leicester City. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Jamie Vardy of Leicester City smiles with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manager of Leicester City. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Jamie Vardy of Leicester City smiles with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manager of Leicester City. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newly appointed Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has confirmed Wilfred Ndidi is unavailable, while Harry Winks is a doubt.
Ndidi was forced off during last weekend’s 2-2 home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion and Winks has been absent since the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on November 23.
“He has a hamstring injury, so he’s not available for [Saturday's] game,” said van Nistelrooy. “We’re looking at his progress and how he will react to the injury, but it looks like it’s at least a couple of weeks.”
On Winks, the Dutchman added: “Doubtful. He’s done parts of team training, today [Thursday] for example.
“Tomorrow we can increase that and we’ll assess tomorrow if he’s available for the squad on Saturday, but it’s something that’s very difficult. Today was the first time he had partial team training.”
Meanwhile, Boubakary Soumare - once subject to a £30million bid from Newcastle in January 2022 - is suspended meaning van Nistelrooy is at risk of being light of midfield numbers. Oliver Skipp and Hamza Choudhury could start.
Issahaku Fatawu (ACL), Ricardo Pereira (hamstring) and Jakub Stolarczyk (ankle) are long-term absentees.
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