Newcastle United midfield duo Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diame are both not ready to face Manchester City in the Premier League on Tuesday night.
Both players have been sidelined with injury in recent weeks, with both Shelvey and Diame missing four games so far this month for the Magpies.
Manager Rafa Benitez has now confirmed that the duo are close to a first-team return but are not quite ready to face City at St. James’ Park in a blow for the Magpies’ chances.
Speaking in the pre-match press conference, Benitez said: “The midfielders are very close but not ready.”
Rafa on injuries: "The midfielders are very close but not ready (Shelvey and Diame). Darlow is getting better and will be fine next week. Joselu is not available who picked up an ankle injury." #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) January 28, 2019
OPINION
This is a really big blow for Benitez as he prepares his team to face one of the most dangerous teams in Europe. City are in scintillating form at the moment, having dished out several thrashings over the past few weeks, and will take some stopping if Newcastle are to get anything out of this game. The presence of both Shelvey and Diame would have been crucial in making that happen, and even having one back would have been a real boost. However, there is nothing more that the club can do, and they will just have to wait until the weekend to welcome both players back when they face Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. In their place it is likely that 21-year-old midfielder Sean Longstaff will once again start for the Magpies, with the youngster having impressed massively during his unexpected run in the first-team. Isaac Hayden is likely to play alongside him.
