Newcastle United handed fresh injury boost ahead of Bristol City friendly as key players return

Newcastle United are back in pre-season action this evening as they face Championship side Bristol City at Ashton Gate (7:30pm kick-off).

The Magpies drew 1-1 at Gateshead in their public pre-season opener on Saturday with a side heavily supplemented by Under-21s players.

But this week has seen several first-team stars return to the training ground along with a welcome injury boost.

Sven Botman missed the Gateshead match due to a facial injury but was spotted back in training in footage released by the club ahead of the trip to Bristol. William Osula also missed the match but was not seen, nor were Lewis Miley, Joelinton and Tino Livramento.

“Sven just took a little knock to the face yesterday in training, but we don't think it's anything too serious,” Howe said after the Gateshead match.

Now, Newcastle’s squad has been boosted by new signing Aladji Bamba from AS Monaco as well as several players returning from their World Cup break.

New arrival Bazoumana Toure was spotted training for the first time after representing Ivory Coast at the World Cup. Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw were also back on the grass ahead of the Bristol City trip.

Bruno Guimaraes is due back at the end of the week while Dan Burn is also expected back after England finished third at this summer’s tournament.

When asked if players such as Toure and Bamba could be available to feature against Bristol City this week, Howe told reporters: “Maybe we'll just have to see their physical state when we get them. We want to make sure that when they enter the pitch, they're in a good condition to play. I don't see why that shouldn't be relatively quick."

After the trip to Ashton Gate, Newcastle travel to Spain for a training camp at La Manga. The pre-season trip will conclude with a friendly match against Valencia at the Mestalla on August 8. After returning home, the Magpies then face Everton at Murrayfield on August 12 before the Visit Malta weekend double header against Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg at St James’ Park on August 15 and 16.

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