Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that four Magpies injury doubts are likely to be available to face Cardiff City on Saturday.
There was concern regarding the fitness of several key Newcastle players going into the crunch clash at St James’ Park, but Benitez revealed at his pre match press conference that he expects Isaac Hayden, Ciaran Clark, Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles all to play on Saturday.
“We have to assess some players, but I’m optimistic with Hayden, Clark, Schar, Lascelles – they can be available if everything is fine,” Benitez said, as cited by the club’s official Twitter account.
“After watching the last two sessions, [Paul] Dummett is getting better but [is] not ready yet,” he added, as quoted by journalist Lee Ryder on his personal Twitter account.
RB: “We have to assess some players, but I’m optimistic with Hayden, Clark, Schär, Lascelles – they can be available, if everything is fine.” #NUFC
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 18, 2019
Rafa on other injuries: "We more or less have the same problems.
"Hayden, Schar and Lascelles are available and could be fine.
"After watching the last two sessions.
"Dummett is getting better but not ready yet." #nufc— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) January 18, 2019
OPINION
This is, by and large, positive news for Newcastle. Obviously still not having Dummett available, their only genuine left back, is dispiriting, but the club have coped OK without him this season. Either Clark, Javier Manquillo or Matt Ritchie will likely line up on the left hand side depending on what formation Benitez goes with. It’s good to have the four aforementioned players in contention to play on Saturday. Clark had to come off at half time against Blackburn Rovers in mid week and so there will have been obvious concern that he wouldn’t be ready to face the Bluebirds. However, that doesn’t appear to be the case, meaning that Benitez has the option to line him up at centre back or left back. It goes without saying that potentially having Lascelles and Schar available is a good thing heading into a vital game this weekend. Cardiff will be stiff opposition, but with a healthier-than-expetced Magpies team, Newcastle can certainly overcome them.
