Gordon, Pope & Tonali: Latest Newcastle injury news and expected return dates ahead of Manchester City clashplaceholder image
Gordon, Pope & Tonali: Latest Newcastle injury news and expected return dates ahead of Manchester City clash | Getty Images
Newcastle United are training ahead of Saturday’s return to Premier League action against Manchester City at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United host Manchester City at St James’ Park on Saturday (5:30pm kick-off) looking to end a run of consecutive Premier League defeats.
Eddie Howe has never beaten Man City in the Premier League with his only victory in 20 attempts coming in the Carabao Cup with Newcastle back in September 2023.
The Magpies are in desperate need of a win with three defeats in their last four league matches leaving them 14th in the table and two points above the relegation zone after 11 games.
Newcastle will be without the likes of Yoane Wissa due to injury and Dan Burn due to suspension while Tino Livramento is a major doubt for Saturday’s match.
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Eddie Howe provides NUFC injury latest
Sandro Tonali missed Italy’s final World Cup qualifier defeat to Norway over the weekend as he was under the threat of suspension for Italy’s upcoming World Cup play-off matches next year.
But Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe played down any fears the midfielder wouldn’t be available for the Man City game this weekend.
“Yes, we've got a bit of a mixed bag,” Howe told BBC Newcastle. “Anthony, we'll wait and see. He'll be touch-and-go for the game.
“Sandro should be fine. Nick Pope had concussion, but he's passed the protocols there, so he should be fine.”
With Burn suspended, Howe will be forced to make a change at left-back with Lewis Hall poised to make his first Premier League start at St James’ Park since February. The 21-year-old has only recently returned from a hamstring injury, coming off the bench in the Athletic Club and Brentford matches.
Livramento also hasn’t featured since picking up a knee injury in the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal almost two months ago.
Hall has been away with England Under-21s during the international break, starting both wins against Republic of Ireland and Slovakia.
“Yes, and we've still got a few obviously that we're nursing back,” Howe added. “Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, still in the early stages, although he's made a couple of really good appearances. Yoane Wissa is still out, but starting to up his work now. So, yes, we're looking at a healthier place.”
Sky Sports provide Newcastle United training ground update
Following Howe’s comments on Tuesday evening, Sky Sports confirmed that Gordon, Tonali and Pope all trained at Darsley Park on Wednesday morning.
Sky Sport’s Keith Downie tweeted: “Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon & Nick Pope were all present at #NUFC training this morning despite being pulled out of their respective international squads through injury. There is hope all three will be available to play against Man City on Saturday.”
Tonali is expected to be available with Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso commenting that the midfielder had no physical issues and was rested due to being one booking away from a suspension. Pope is another who was expected to be back in contention after serving the 12-day concussion protocol period after being forced off in the 3-1 defeat to Brentford before the international break.
Gordon missed the Brentford game with a minor hip issue and, according to Howe, is ‘touch-and-go’ for Saturday’s match. The winger has scored in each of his previous two Premier League matches against Man City at St James’ Park.
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