Newcastle United are being left sweating on the fitness of a key trio ahead of this weekend’s crucial clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Magpies are looking to bounce back after suffering two consecutive defeats to Burnley and Bournemouth before the international break, with Rafael Benitez’s side now having won just one of their last five Premier League matches.
Benitez’s men are certainly ranked as outsiders for this weekend’s clash against a Manchester United side sitting pretty near the top of the table but the odds look increasingly stacked against the visitors, who could be without a key trio.
The Evening Chronicle confirms that Mikel Merino is set to miss out once again with a back injury, though he could be back next week, and captain Jamaal Lascelles is also a doubt for the game.
Ghanian international Christian Atsu may also miss out after being unable to feature in his nation’s World Cup qualifying match against Egypt, though his nation’s fate was already secured, and now faces a race against time to be able to take part this weekend.
Positive news is provided by Paul Dummett though as the defender will be worked back into the side over the coming weeks, after returning to training from an injury lay-off that has seen him absent since the opening weekend of the season.
