Newcastle United double injury boost v Chelsea as false rumours rule key man out for six weeks

Newcastle United are set to welcome back two key players for Saturday afternoon's Premier League clash against Chelsea at St James' Park (kick-off 3pm).

The Magpies were without 11 senior players for the 2-0 defeat to AFC Bournemouth last time out and that number increased during the game as Miguel Almiron and Sean Longstaff sustained injuries.

Almiron departed with a hamstring issue just half an hour in which later forced him to withdraw from the Paraguay squad. Meanwhile, Longstaff picked up an ankle problem but played on and completed the 90 minutes.

While Longstaff is a doubt for the visit of Chelsea at the weekend, United boss Eddie Howe is likely to have both Almiron and club-record signing Alexander Isak available for selection.

Howe admitted the two-week international break had come at a good time for his depleted side with Almiron among the players to benefit, allowing the winger time to recover from his grade-one hamstring injury.

It has also given Newcastle time to get Isak back fit. The Swede has missed the last five matches because of a groin problem but is on course to return against the Blues with Callum Wilson, the club's only other senior striker, sidelined until December.

As mentioned, the meeting with Mauricio Pochettino's side could come too early for Longstaff but NewcastleWorld understands the midfielder will be back for Manchester United a week later, or possibly even Paris Saint-Germain in midweek.

Rumours on social media suggested the 26-year-old was facing six weeks out but we understand that to be false.

There was some panic surrounding Fabian Schar after he was left out of Switzerland's squad to face Israel last week, however the centre-back was included in the squad versus Kosovo on Saturday and could feature against Romania tomorrow evening.

Elsewhere, £38million summer signing Harvey Barnes is on course to return for the festive period, while Sven Botman's situation remains unclear.

The Dutchman has been sidelined with a knee injury and United hope they can avoid surgery, although that is dependent on whether his knee continues to swell.

Newcastle could welcome Elliot Anderson before the end of the year but know they'll be without Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, Matt Targett for the early part of 2024. Sandro Tonali, of course, is serving a 10-month ban from football.