West Ham 3-1 Newcastle United: Joe Buck reaction
Newcastle United latest news: Athletic Club will not have superstar Nico Williams in their squad when they face Newcastle United in the Champions League.
Williams was named on the bench for Athletic Club’s defeat to local rivals Real Sociedad at the weekend, coming on as a second half substitute in that game. Valverde’s side slipped to a stoppage time defeat at Reale Arena and ended the weekend in the bottom half of the La Liga table.
Heading to Tyneside, Athletic Club sit 21st in the Champions League league phase table with just one win to their name from their first three games. That victory, though, did come in their last outing against Azerbaijani outfit Qarabag.
Athletic Club delivered major injury blow on eve of Newcastle United clash
However, ahead of their trip to Tyneside, it has been revealed that star man Nico Williams will not feature. Williams had been struggling with injury, hence starting Saturday’s derby match on the bench, and has not been deemed fit enough to travel with his teammates.
A Marca report on Williams’ condition at the weekend read: ‘The younger Williams brother is hampered by pubalgia and his season has yet to get off to a good start.
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‘The treatment he's undergoing to alleviate his discomfort requires him to do a lot of individualized training, and he's far from his best form. Valverde has to manage the situation, aware that the player's availability is far from ideal . "Starting him in the derby was a bit of a stretch because he's been carrying some discomfort," the manager acknowledged. Nico was left out of the last national team squad and is doubtful for the November international break because his participation with Athletic Bilbao this Wednesday against Newcastle is also uncertain.’
Valverde will speak to the media at 6:30pm UK time and will undoubtedly be asked to provide an update on his star man.
Athletic Club squad v Newcastle United in full:Unai Simón, Padilla, Santos, Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Vesga, Berenguer, Guruzeta, Areso, Laporte, I. Lekue, Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar, Adama, Unai G., Nico Serrano, Navarro, Rego, Hierro, Ibon Sánchez, Izagirre and Selton.
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