Newcastle United injury update as key trio close on returns ahead of visit to West Ham United

Newcastle United will assess the fitness of three key players ahead of Sunday’s visit to West Ham United.

Magpies manager Eddie Howe has been unable to call on his full compliment of senior stars so far this season and has been forced to rotate his ranks throughout the opening month of the campaign.

With the trip to the London Stadium now just days away, NewcastleWorld looks at the injury status of several of Howe’s senior players.

Jonjo Shelvey (hamstring)

The Magpies midfielder is yet to feature this season after suffering a hamstring injury in the pre-season friendly defeat against Portuguese giants Benfica.

Eddie Howe confirmed the former Liverpool and Swansea City star underwent an operation in August and set out the expectation that he would not return to action until Christmas.

Speaking ahead of the goalless draw at Brighton, the Magpies manager said: “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.”

Potential return date: 26th December

Emil Krafth (knee)

The Swedish international suffered a serious knee injury during the Magpies recent Carabao Cup win against League Two side Tranmere Rovers.

Speaking via his Instagram account in the aftermath of the injury, Krafth said: “Hard to find words and still can’t believe it, this was not the way I wanted the season to start! Gonna be out for several months with a knee injury.”

Howe confirmed Krafth could expect to be one the sidelines for six to nine months after an anterior ligament injury was confirmed and it now seems likely the right-back will not return until February at the earliest.

Potential return date: February 2023

Bruno Guimaraes (thigh)

The Brazil star has missed United’s last three games after picking up a thigh injury in the closing stages of the Carabao Cup win at Tranmere Rovers.

There have been hopes he could return to fitness in Sunday’s trip to West Ham and Bruno has revealed he is ‘doing his best’ to play at part at the London Stadium.

Speaking earlier this week, he told NUFCTV: “It’s my goal, but I don’t know if I will be ready.  I know I need to answer this question for many fans today.

“I am doing my best to be ready as much as possible.”

Possible return date: 11th September

Allan Saint-Maximin (thigh)

The winger’s last touch of a ball was his stunning volley that secured a late point in the recent draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Since that goal, the French winger has missed the defeat at Liverpool and Saturday’s frustrating home draw with Crystal Palace after suffering a thigh injury.

Speaking about the injury before the Palace game, Howe said: There is no muscle pull with Allan, it’s more just a bit of swelling. We’re hopeful it won’t be too long.

“Whether or not he’ll be available for the next game at this moment I don’t know. But if not the next one, then definitely the one after.”

Potential return date: 11th September

Callum Wilson (thigh)

Striker Wilson has not appeared since he was replaced during the second-half of the thrilling 3-3 home draw against Manchester City.

The former Bournemouth frontman had enjoyed a promising start to the campaign but has now missed United’s last four games in all competitions.

Howe has suggested Wilson is ‘slightly behind’ Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin in his battle to return to fitness, meaning Sunday’s visit to West Ham United could come too soon for him.

However, a meeting with former club Bournemouth a week on Saturday feels a more realistic return date.

Potential return date: 17th September