The most recent team news in advance of Newcastle United’s home encounter against Premier League rivals Brentford.
As Newcastle United prepares to visit unbeaten Brentford at St James Park on Saturday evening, manager Eddie Howe has a number of key decisions.
The Magpies are trying to snap a three-game losing streak against a Bees team that has one win and three draws from their first four league games. Brentford come to Tyneside hoping for only their second ever victory at Gallowgate, with their sole prior triumph coming in September 1934.
Ahead of what already feels like a key clash for both sides, NewcastleWorld looks at the big decisions facing Howe and Bees counterpart Thomas Frank.
News awaited on Tonali
The Italy international has experienced mixed fortunes during the first month of the Premier League season. After impressing and scoring in the opening day win against Aston Villa, the former AC Milan showed his class with a hardworking display in the home defeat against Liverpool.
However, he struggled to make in impact in defeats against Manchester City and Brighton and could now miss Saturday’s home game with a thigh injury suffered during the recent international break.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Eddie Howe said of Tonali: “I think he felt his thigh in training [with Italy]. He’s come back in and has had a scan. There’s a slight injury there – it’s nothing serious or too long. But we’ll wait and see whether he’s available this weekend.”
Late fitness tests for duo
Howe also revealed he is hoping to have defender Sven Botman and midfielder Elliot Anderson back in contention for the meeting with the Bees.
Botman suffered an ankle injury in the defeat against Liverpool and Howe has confirmed the former Lille defender has trained all week and could ‘possibly’ return to contention. The United boss took a similar view youngster Anderson and is hopeful the talented midfielder will be available after withdrawing from international duty with Scotland and picking up a knock in training.
Spanish defender Javier Manquillo is also a doubt with a groin injury.
Long-term injury victims remain unavailable
Two confirmed absentees from Saturday’s game are defender Emil Krafth and midfielder Joe Willock.
Sweden international Krafth is still around a month away from returning to contention as he reaches the final stages of his recovery from a serious knee injury he suffered in a Carabao Cup win against Tranmere Rovers in August last year.
Willock was expected to make a return prior to the international break but Howe revealed the former Arsenal midfielder is still ‘around six weeks away’ from returning.
Speaking earlier this month, he said: “Unfortunately, Joe has had a bit of a setback. It’s an Achilles injury not related to his hamstring problem. So, I think he will be missing for around (another) six weeks. We are missing him in terms of his energy.”
Bees trio ruled out but midfielder could return
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has his own selection issues ahead of the trip to Tyneside.
Former Newcastle United striker Ivan Toney will be out until January as he serves a suspension for violating betting laws, and both defender Josh Dasilva and midfielder Shandon Baptiste are currently recovering from hamstring and shoulder injuries, respectively.
Mikkel Damsgaard of Denmark could be back in contention after Frank said there was a’slim possibility’ he would recover from a groin ailment in time to play.
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