Newcastle United latest news: David Moyes has confirmed an Everton injury blow ahead of their clash against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
The Toffees were beaten on home turf by Manchester United on Monday night and head to Tyneside aiming to prevent their hosts from completing a Premier League double. Eddie Howe’s side were 4-1 victors over Everton when they met at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in November, but prior to that match they hadn’t won in any of their last four meetings with the Toffees.
This fixture last season was played on the final day of the campaign as Everton triumphed 1-0. Results elsewhere, though, ensured that St James’ Park would still be celebrating following the final whistle as their place in the Champions League was confirmed.
The man who scored Everton’s winning goal that day was Charly Alcaraz. However, the former Southampton man won’t have the chance to repeat that feat this weekend.
Speaking to the media ahead of his side’s trip to the north east, Moyes revealed that Alcaraz would be out for a number of weeks: "Charly Alcaraz has got an injury which will probably keep him out for three weeks or four weeks, we think. He picked it up in the last minute of training on Sunday.
"He would've probably started on Monday night [v Man Utd] if he hadn't picked up the injury."
Elsewhere, Moyes will also be without Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish. Grealish has been ruled-out for the rest of the season after suffering a stress fracture to his foot.
Those issues are the only injuries affecting Moyes’ outfield options and the former West Ham and Sunderland manager is looking forward to having a fairly full squad to pick from this weekend: “I think this is probably the first time we've had enough players to rotate and try things,”Moyes continued. “Jarrad Branthwaite is as comfortable at left-back as he is at centre-back.
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 link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
“Quite often when you're a young central-midfield player, you often find your way into the first team playing off the sides. I think Mikel Arteta, when he came here, probably had to do the same thing.
“When you're a young centre-back, you often end up playing at full-back.”
David Moyes previews Newcastle United challenge
Everton will begin Saturday’s game above their hosts in the Premier League table but know that a defeat will see them end the day below the Magpies. Moyes, though, is taking confidence from their victory on the final day of last season into this weekend’s meeting.
“It was a great win for us, considering Newcastle were trying to qualify for Champions League - and did in the end,” he said. “It's always good to try to [back it up with another win] when we can.”
Newcastle United’s journey in the Champions League saw them finish 12th in the league phase table and then secure a place in the Round of 16 against Barcelona with a 9-3 aggregate victory over Qarabag. On their efforts on the continent, Moyes added: “Newcastle have done remarkably.
“They're in the last 16 of the Champions League. Great credit to them, but it can have an effect on your Premier League games - your bread and butter. I've seen it in the Conference League and Europa League.”
Continue Reading