Newcastle United injury blow as attacker a doubt to face Burnley
Newcastle United issue official Anthony Elanga update after the winger missed the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.
Eddie Howe has provided a further update on Anthony Elanga after the Newcastle United winger missed the 1-0 defeat away to Manchester United.
Newcastle welcomed back goalkeeper Nick Pope to the matchday squad after a month out with a groin issue but were without Elanga, which saw 16-year-old Sam Alabi travel to Old Trafford.
The Magpies also remained without Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento and Will Osula.
Newcastle United issue Anthony Elanga injury update
Howe isn’t expecting any of his injured players back for the visit to Burnley on Tuesday evening but revealed the hope is Elanga can return “pretty quickly”.
The £55million summer signing came on as a second-half substitute in last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Chelsea and in the closing stages picked up a knock.
Providing an update on Elanga, Howe said: “Yeah, he just took a knock against Chelsea. We don't think it's too serious. We hope to have him back pretty quickly.”
Eddie Howe launches staunch defence of Anthony Elanga
In the build-up to the Manchester United game, Howe launched a staunch defence of Elanga after struggling to hit the ground running since joining from Nottingham Forest.
The 23-year-old has registered just one assist in his opening 25 appearances - 11 of which have been starts, while the wait for his first goal continues.
Howe said: “I think it's really strange, because I think if you put all his best moments together in a Newcastle shirt, you'd put a showreel together of a player that's got some unbelievable attributes and has done some really, really good things for the team.
“Even the moment on Saturday, I think not many other players would have been able to elevate themselves into that position because they wouldn't have his speed and his athleticism to get there in the first place. So, I think sometimes we're very quick to analyse things negatively rather than the positive.
“Yes, the end part was just slightly missing. And I'd say that's been probably the thing that's held Anthony back from getting the recognition and the praise that I think is to come in the future for him. And the actual end product, the goals and assists that we know that he will want, we will want from him.
“But it's there, the tools are there. And a lot of it comes with feeling, it comes with confidence, it comes with the belonging aspect. And when you come to a new club, as quickly as you can feel those things, the better player you'll have.
“I really believe in him, that's never wavered from me. I see the professional that he is and how hard he's worked behind the scenes and how well he wants to do. One of our best trainers every single day.
“So, I think when you put all those things together, then I believe really strongly that Anthony will have a great time here.”