Newcastle United injury update ahead of Chelsea
Newcastle United have several defensive injury problems, but there is also an issue at the other end of the pitch.
Newcastle United forward William Osula is for a total of two months on the sidelines after succumbing to an ankle issue that he was initially playing through.
Osula has scored three goals for The Magpies already this season while also making an important contribution for Bruno Guimaraes’ late winner in the 2-1 victory over Fulham back in October.
But the 22-year-old hasn’t been seen since arriving for the Champions League match against Athletic Club and being named on the teamsheet only to be a late withdrawal. Osula is still yet to return to training and won’t be involved in Newcastle’s matches over the festive period.
William Osula out for 10 games and counting for NUFC
The striker has missed 10 matches due to his ankle issue so far and is likely to remain sidelined for at least another few games. Newcastle host Chelsea at St James’ Park on Saturday (12:30pm kick-off) before facing Manchester United on Boxing Day at Old Trafford and then Burnley at Turf Moor on December 30.
When asked about a potential return date for Osula, Howe said earlier this month: “We need to have further discussions internally to see quite what's happening with his ankle, because it's not going in a straight line.
“We're not quite happy with how he's feeling, so I'll try and give you some feedback when we get it.”
The Gazette has launched a new WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone.Simply click this linkto join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
And when asked for a further update ahead of Chelsea, Howe added: “No, unfortunately, Will's not sort of imminent in his return.
“We've got a lot of players that are close to returning in around the new year. But that's not quick enough for us at the moment.”
In addition to Osula, Newcastle also have Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Emil Krafth, Tino Livramento, Nick Pope and Lewis Hall nursing injury problems. Howe has hinted that Pope and Hall are the two players who have a chance of returning against Chelsea this weekend.
Osula’s absence has not been significantly damaging to Newcastle as it has tied in with Yoane Wissa’s return to fitness. The £55million striker started his first match for Newcastle on Wednesday evening and took just 10 minutes to open his account in the game.
But given Wissa’s knee injury and lack of matches, his minutes will be managed carefully with Nick Woltemade also available as an alternative attacking option.
Can Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade play together at Newcastle United?
It’s understood it will be either Wissa or Woltemade starting for Newcastle moving forward, rather than both.
But Howe was open to the suggestion as he said: “I’ve always historically, going way back, used two strikers.
“Haven't done it so much here, but we did go through spells where we used Alex [Isak] and Callum [Wilson] together.
“So, of course, you can adapt any system to any two players, but I think what is really important, or if and when you play two strikers, you don't lose control of the pitch in other areas and you have your two strikers starved of the ball.
“I think it's a delicate balance for us, two outstanding players that you'd love to see on the pitch together, of course, but not to the detriment of the team.”
Continue Reading