Schar has been struggling with injury over the last weekSchar has been struggling with injury over the last week
Schar has been struggling with injury over the last week | Getty Images
A look at the final injury news surrounding Chelsea and Newcastle United ahead of Sunday’s big Premier League showdown.
As things stand, Newcastle are fourth and goal difference ahead of Chelsea, but Saturday’s results mean that whoever wins this game, should it not end in a draw, will move up into third and one point ahead of Manchester City in third. Ahead of this one, and having watched his side in action as recently as Thursday night, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said: “The first match against Djurgarden also gave us a little bit of a chance to rotate and to protect players. We’ll see.”
Here we take a look at the latest injury news surrounding both sides ahead of kick off.
Lewis Hall - Out
Hall is out for the season with an ankle injury. Eddie Howe has said: “He's doing great. I don't think we will see him play again this season if we are being honest. But he's recovering, and he is on the right road to recovery. We will certainly see him back again next season.”
Matt Targett - Out
Targett is out with a hamstring issue, and his season may be over. Howe said in late April: “We also lost Matty this week to a slight hamstring problem. Again, nothing serious but maybe enough to end his season.”
Jamaal Lascelles - Out
Lascelles is another who could be out for the rest of Newcastle’s games, struggling with a knee injury. Howe said in early April: “I don't know if we will see Jamaal again [this season]. I don't want to set a target or time. He has started very light training with the squad - on the drills - that are not competitive. He has looked very good; it is small steps for him.”
Joelinton - Out
Joelinton could now be back before the end of the season, with Howe saying: “I saw him yesterday for first time in a while,” Howe said. “He had returned to Brazil briefly and then went to Barcelona for another injection. I think he is feeling pretty good, whether we see him before the end of the season, we’ll see.”
Fabian Schaar - Doubt
Howe said last week: “I'm not 100 per cent sure what's happened with Fab, he was limping. I don't know whether that was a cramp or a muscle injury, so we'll have to check.” Howe added in a more general update this week, without naming Schar: “We’ve got a couple of players we’re looking at and assessing – and we’ll see how they are from the weekend,” Howe said. But apart from that, we’re OK, we trained well this week, I’ve been pleased with the group, very focused on Sunday.”
Kieran Trippier - Fit
Trippier is expected to be fit. Howe said after the defender came off last time out: “I'm pretty sure that with Kieran, it was just cramp.”
Anthony Gordon - Fit
Gordon has featured of late but he has not been fit enough to start. Asked of that could change here, Howe said: "He's pushing. This is his best week physically. He had an issue he picked up with England and it's taken him a while to get back to full fitness. He did well when he came on against Brighton and he adds a different dimension to our game, directness and running."
Wesley Fofana - Out
Fofana will not return this season, with Maresca having said: “Unfortunately, Wes will be out for the rest of the season.”
Omari Kellyman - Out
Kellyman has confirmed he will miss the end of the season, writing on social media: “Beyond gutted to say that this season has come to an early end for me due to a re-injury of my hamstring. 24-25 has been a tough season for me mentally and physically due to injury, but it’s important now that I take time to get this right.”
Marc Guiu - Doubt
Maresca said before the Djugaarden game: “Everyone is fit and Marc Guiu could even be involved in tomorrow’s squad. We are not sure yet, we will make a decision on him, but he is getting closer. Maybe it’s better for Marc to have a few more days of training, but he is very close to being back with us. That will be very good news for us and for Marc.”
Christopher Nkunku - Out
Nkunku is out with a fresh injury issue. Maresca has said: “Christo will be out for I think one week or two weeks, we are not sure. We will see. He will be out for the next ten to 15 days.”
Mykhailo Mudryk - Out (Suspended)
Mudryk remains out due to a suspension over alleged consumption of a banned substance. Maresca has said: “The only thing I can say is that we are close to Mykhailo as a club, and we are trying to help him. In terms of an update, I don't have one.”
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