Lewis Hall of Newcastle United arrives at St James’ Park (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)placeholder image
Lewis Hall of Newcastle United arrives at St James’ Park (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United v Manchester City: The Magpies have welcomed back one key player from injury at St James’ Park this afternoon - but lost another.
Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento returned to the matchday squad for the first time in almost two months
The Magpies host Manchester City in the Premier League at St James’ Park (5:30pm kick-off) with Livramento back following a knee injury picked up in the 2-1 defeat against Arsenal back in September.
Newcastle had several fitness question marks ahead of their return to Premier League action following the international break. Joelinton suffered a leg injury in the 3-1 defeat at Brentford before the break while Nick Pope picked up a concussion that ruled him out of international duty with England.
Sandro Tonali and Anthony Elanga withdrew from their respective international squads during the break but were back in the Newcastle matchday squad on Saturday along with Joelinton and Pope.
Anthony Gordon, Yoane Wissa and William Osula missed the previous match against Brentford due to injury while Dan Burn picked up a red card and is suspended for the City game.
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Eddie Howe provides Newcastle United injury update
In his Friday press conference, Newcastle head caoch Eddie Howe said: “Anthony Gordon is very close. He's worked well during the break and he's touch-and-go for the game. We'll make a very late decision.
"Nick Pope has trained and there's no problems there. Sandro is fine.
"[Tino] is very close. He's trained in the international break which is great to see. He's such an important player for us and it's great to have him back training with the group.
“He's done a lot of work. He's been very, very good professionally with how he's dealt with the injury and the work he's done with the physios so I'd say he's in good shape."
While Livramento is back involved, Gordon was not part of the matchday squad on Saturday after a late call was made on his fitness.
NUFC quintet ruled out v Manchester City
Wissa and Osula remain sidelined for the upcoming matches due to injury while Burn misses the City game before returning to contention against Marseille in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Gordon will also be hoping to return for that match after narrowly missing out against Manchester City. In a fresh blow for The Magpies, Kieran Trippier was also not part of the matchday squad.
Osula had been nursing an ankle injury before being ruled out of the last two matches against Athletic Club following a specialist assessment.
Wissa is yet to make his debut for Newcastle following his £55million deadline day arrival from Brentford. Almost three months later, there is still no clear return date for his knee injury.
“He's not back training with us yet but he's close,” Howe added. “He's close to training with us but before he gets to there it's difficult to give you a return date."
The absences have seen Howe turn to 18-year-old Sean Neave, who returns to the senior squad on the bench as he looks to make his competitive debut.
Newcastle United team news will be announced at 16:15.
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