No sooner are we back from that midweek trip to Marseille, Newcastle United are on the road again this weekend as we travel to Everton in the Premier League.
As ever, Eddie Howe has just conducted his Friday morning press conference from the club’s media suite, taking questions from the local press.
The bad news is that Sven Botman is ‘nursing a back problem’ and looks set to miss out, which may explain why he did not come on or start in Tuesday’s game in France.
Kieran Trippier is set to miss ‘around a month’ with a hamstring injury, confirming reports last night following a scan, and Emil Krafth is also set to be absent after returning from Sweden duty with a knee issue last week.
“Nothing major from the game [in Marseille], we will look at the lads today.
“Sven Botman has been nursing a back problem the last few days.
“Kieran Trippier had a scan on his hamstring, we think it is roughly around a month, give or take. That is the diagnosis.
“Emil Krafth came back from international duty with a knee issue, but he will be good.”
Now for the good news, where Howe has offered a positive update on Yoane Wissa’s eagerly-awaited return from a knee injury that’s kept him out ever since his £55m move from Brentford.
Howe confirmed that Wissa trained fully with the team for the first time on Wednesday and will be assessed, with the coaching team having a comeback date in mind as he edges closer to full fitness:
“Yoane is doing well. He trained with his for the first time on Wednesday.
“I was really pleased that is his first time competitively. We will see how it looks.
“We have one (a comeback) date in mind, but it is probably best to keep it to ourselves.”
Elsewhere, Dan Burn is back from suspension in the league after sitting out our 2-1 win over Man City last weekend, with Lewis Hall, Nick Woltemade and Joelinton fit and available after rests in midweek.