Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has received a big boost ahead of his side’s clash with Cardiff City on Saturday, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claims that four players have returned to training this week after knocks, with Mohamed Diame, Jamaal Lascelles, Karl Darlow and Kenedy put through their paces.
It is understood that the Senegal international will have his hip injury assessed on Friday, which will determine his status for the Cardiff game, while captain Lascelles made his return to training on Thursday.
Darlow is available to back up first choice goalkeeper Martin Dubravka once again, while Kenedy has recovered from a toenail issue which was preventing him from putting boots on.
OPINION
This is huge news for the Magpies. Benitez will of course want every player available for this Saturday’s vital clash, and to have these four back in contention is extremely positive for the Spaniard. Darlow is not expected to play, of course, but the other three could all feature on Saturday. Diame, up until his recent injury, was an automatic selection for Benitez so if he comes through his assessment on Friday it’s safe to say that he will be involved in some capacity against the Bluebirds. Lascelles’ return to training comes amid doubts over Ciaran Cark’s status after he limped off against Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday. The skipper hasn’t been at his best this campaign so he could still miss out on Saturday, with two of Federico Fernandez, Fabian Schar and Florian Lejeune potentially picked ahead of him. If Kenedy can get back in the team and find the form he first flashed on Tyneside then his return will also be a big boost for Benitez.
