Matt Targett, Ryan Fraser & others - Newcastle United injury list and expected return dates
Newcastle United were without six senior players for their visit to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
Matt Targett, Ryan Fraser, Emil Krafth and Jonjo Shelvey were among the most notable absentees, while Federico Fernandez and Jamal Lewis also missed out.
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Hide AdNewcastleWorld breaks down the Magpies’ current injury list and sees when each player is expected to make their return:
Ryan Fraser
The injury
Fraser’s missed Newcastle’s 0-0 with Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend due to a back spasm.
What’s Eddie Howe said
“He had a slight back spasm on Thursday and Friday. He was close to making the game.”
Expected return date
The winger should, hopefully, be back in contention for the visit of Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.
Matt Targett
The injury
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Hide AdTargett was absent from United’s draw at Brighton on Saturday after sustaining a dead leg during the opening day win over Nottingham Forest.
What’s Eddie Howe said
“He (Targett) got a dead leg last week to his hamstring.
“We felt it was just a knock but we had a scan and it showed very, very subtle damage to the muscle.
“We’re treating it like a very small muscle strain, but we’re hoping he will be back soon.”
Expected return date
Newcastle will hope to have Targett back to face Manchester City on Sunday, although it depends how “subtle” the damage is.
Emil Krafth
The injury
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Hide AdKrafth picked up an injury in the week leading up the Nottingham Forest opener, which has forced him to miss that game and Brighton away.
What’s Eddie Howe said
“It was a strange one with Emil because there wasn’t really an injury, it was more just tightness. He felt he couldn’t open up.
“He’s had two scans and they’ve come back clear. I don’t necessarily think there’s an injury but maybe a problem with his back and stopping him opening up to full speed.
“Hopefully, that’ll be very short-term.”
Expected return date
Although there’s no definitive date in mind, the Sweden international, hopefully, shouldn’t be sidelined much longer.
Jonjo Shelvey
The injury
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Hide AdShelvey has been sidelined since withdrawing with a hamstring issue during the Eusebio Cup friendly with Benfica last month.
What’s Eddie Howe said
“It was quite a complex one. We had a number of scans and opinions because we wanted to make the right call. It wasn’t a clear or simple injury.
“He’s had an operation and is expected to be out around 12 weeks. He was very disappointed obviously, he worked very hard in pre-season and looked in really good physical shape.
“It was a real shame for him and for us but he’s on the road to recovery now and is in a much better place after the operation and before mentally.
“We’re looking forward to getting him back.”
Expected return date
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Hide AdDue to the World Cup taking place in November, Shelvey, at the earliest, won’t return until the Boxing Day fixture at Leicester City.
Federico Fernandez
The injury
Fernandez didn’t feature in any of United’s pre-season friendlies due to a calf issue.
What’s Eddie Howe said
“Fede, again, has done a couple of days this week.
“We gently re-introduced him because he’s broken down a couple of times, so we’re very keen to see him consistently train with us.
“Fingers crossed with Fede that he can do that and again, he’s looked very, very good. He is a top player.”
Expected return date
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Hide AdIt’s up to Howe and his coaches to decide if or when they will include Fernandez in the matchday with Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles all ahead in the pecking order.
Jamal Lewis
The injury
Lewis missed the opportunity to stake a claim for a spot in pre-season after being sidelined with a calf issue.
What’s Eddie Howe said
“Jamal has done a couple of days (of training) - it’s great to see him back.”
Expected return date
What the future holds for Lewis remains unclear after being left out of the club’s 25-man Premier League squad for the second half of last season.