The Magpies will have to patch up their XI for the trip to Elland Road with Eddie Howe hopeful of avoiding an early season injury crisis
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United shakes hands with Eddie Howe
Sandro Tonali picked up an injury against Liverpool
(Image: Getty Images)
Eddie Howe has been handed two unexpected bonuses ahead of the trip to Elland Road tomorrow night. The Magpies looked more like the walking wounded after their 3-2 defeat against Liverpool and Howe stated in the direct aftermath that it "didn't look good" for a clutch of his stars.
Fabian Schar suffered a head wound after being floored in the second half, Sandro Tonali injured his shoulder and Joelinton limped off with a groin injury.
But Howe expects two of the injured trio to be fit and the news on Joelinton is not as bad as first feared.
The Newcastle manager said today: "It is relatively good news on both players (Sandro Tonali and Joelinton) when they left the pitch we feared they may be out long-term.
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"Joey’s scan was good but he will miss this weekend, we'll hopefully get him back for the game after the international break.
"Sandro's injury isn’t serious; he is battling to be fit for tomorrow. Fabian Schar is available. We followed concussion protocols, he will be fine to play.
"For Tonali, I think his injury isn't serious, he's battling trying to be fit for tomorrow, but whether he will make it I'm not sure. But really positive signs because we thought we'd be losing them for longer."
With Anthony Gordon injured, Howe is likely to turn to William Osula to lead the line at Elland Road, he said: "I thought Will did really well when he came on on Monday night.
"He gave us renewed energy, he has improved a lot from this time last year. He has gained the knowledge and experience of how we play, he is gaining in confidence and that goal will do him the world of good."
Newcastle go into the Leeds game without a win and into a powder-keg atmosphere that was too much for Everton in the opening round of games of the Premier League season.
Howe said: "I think every time we've been to Elland Road we've experienced the atmosphere and the feeling in the stadium that the Leeds supporters try to create. I think it's a very strong home support so we know the start of the game is going to be really important for us.
"Against Everton, they played very, very well, and even early parts of the Arsenal game, I thought they were strong. They've invested well, they've got some good players and Daniel [Farke] has done well there."