Steve Bruce gives hint over his team selection for Palace – report

Steve Bruce may have dropped a little hint towards his team selection before their game against Crystal Palace on the weekend.

While not exclusively revealing whether or not doubts Miguel Almiron and Jonjo Shelvey would be available to play on the weekend, some of his words suggest that he might well play the pair of them.

He told the press that they have a “chance”, but also said later on in the interview that they the club has “done enough in the gym” to make sure that they are OK.

Jonjo Shelvey has been out due to a calf injury, while Almiron has been out with a hamstring problem. The duo both had to miss the Burnley match, and they were seriously missed as the Magpies slumped to a lacklustre 1-0 loss at Turf Moor.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, former Crystal Palace manager Bruce said (via the Shields Gazette): “Almiron and Shelvey have a chance. It’s still too early for Saint-Maximin and Ki and Ciaran Clark, who are still struggling,” he told reporters at his pre-match press conference. “Matt Ritchie and Jamaal Lascelles are not there either but from what we had last weekend, Almiron and Jonjo have a chance.

“They trained yesterday so speaking at the moment, we haven’t seen them just yet but both seemed OK yesterday.

“I wouldn’t take a risk if I didn’t think they were right. I think the risk would have been last week so it’s let them recover. When you pull a muscle, you’re always on edge.  We think they have done enough in the gym and rehabilitation work this week to make sure they’re OK.

“The big risk would have been playing them last weekend when we weren’t quite the same but we have to find a way – it’s as simple as that.”

Even though Bruce is not definitive in his response, he says just about enough to make it seem as if they are quite likely to play. Obviously, you can understand him not wanting to confirm it just in case something has happened, but considering he has suggested that last week would have been the real risk for both players, it implies that this week isn’t so much of one.

Considering the Eagles’ huge injury problems in defence – with all three capable left-backs likely to be out in Patrick Van Aanholt, Jeffrey Schlupp and Jairo Riedewald – the return of Almiron will be crucial as they try and get at the Palace backline.

Furthermore, considering both clubs have struggled immensely to find the back of the net this season – Palace scoring 15; Newcastle 17 – the Magpies will want to have as much of as an attacking threat as possible to break down Roy Hodgson’s resilient men.