Islam Slimani played his first minutes of football in two and half months after coming on as a substitute for Algeria in their friendly against Iran yesterday.
Our January loan signing has been sidelined with a troublesome thigh injury, which has led many fans to question the reasons behind recruiting the 29 year old in the first place.
However, the striker came on with 25 minutes to go as his team lost 2-1. The Twitter reaction from fans to his appearance were mixed:
If slimani was fit enough to play half hour for Algeria on Tuesday, there should be no excuses for him not being in the squad Saturday, what a joke of a signing he`s turning out to be #NUFC
? John Firby (@jc_firby) 28 March 2018
Absolute waste of time and money
? Robbie (@Robobriain) 28 March 2018
He will not play for nufc this season.
? thereal andrew young (@temperamentalan) 28 March 2018
I`m not sure he can walk yet never mind run
? nufc canada (@backer_bill) 28 March 2018
he will be our ‘secret card’ this season,if he plays the rest of the matches,at least 70 minutes every match,he will have at least 5 goals
? FunBoy (@andreas_cody) 27 March 2018
He scores one, we’ll be happy!
? Newcastle Fans TV (@NewcastleFansTV) 27 March 2018
Can we have Vardy on loan instead of Slimani? He ‘s done nowt for us so far apart from smile in photos, because he has a sore leg.#nufc
? stevie (@stevieknackered) 27 March 2018
Slimani got half an hour for Algeria. Encouraging #nufc
? Steve McKenna (@SteveMcKenna_) 27 March 2018
Good news that.
? AP (@amannufc) 27 March 2018
Verdict:
Our current no.13 looked decidedly rusty when he came on to the pitch, and he looks quite away from full fitness still. He could be in line for a place on the bench against Huddersfield, but there is little chance he will start at the weekend.
If he fails to make an appearance against Terriers, the loan signing will only be able to play in just six games for us before his loan spell ends, as he is ineligible to play against his parent club Leicester, who we face on Saturday week. Certainly not what Rafa had in mind when we got him in January.