There is mixed news on the injury front for Newcastle United ahead of Monday’s clash with Aston Villa.
Steve Bruce has revealed that both Fabian Schar and Florian Lejeune are back and ready to play against Dean Smith’s side.
However, it is not good news for Matt Ritchie and Ciaran Clark, who will both miss the match.
Clark suffered a knock while on international duty, and Ritchie has experienced a reaction in his recovery from ligament damage suffered in August.
This means that Federico Fernandez will likely be partnered by Fabian Schar and Paul Dummett with Lejeune on the bench.
It is a shame that our joint top goalscorer will miss the match, but hopefully one of the other defenders can get a goal!
I am delighted that Lejeune is back from his second serious knee injury, and he really is a classy operator, so it will be good to see him on the field soon.
Though we have not actually missed Schar, he is a superb player, and it is also fantastic to have him back as well.
The fact that both Clark and Jamaal Lascelles are injured, and we still have four good centre-backs to choose from, shows the strength in depth we have in that area of the field.
Bruce also sounded positive in his press conference and said that the players have looked lively in training.
Who replaces Clark?
Schar
Lejeune
I cannot wait for Monday as for the first time this season I feel optimistic about an upcoming match – hopefully, the lads can deliver for us.