Newcastle United quartet return to training but no sign of £45m star ahead of Man United clash

Newcastle United are preparing for Sunday afternoon’s Premier League clash against Manchester United (kick-off 4:30pm). Here are five things we spotted from training in footage released by the Magpies on Wednesday (March 29):

Sven Botman returns

After reportedly suffering from food poisoning, Sven Botman was forced to leave the Netherlands camp last Thursday and therefore miss out on his senior debut.

Botman, along with Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, plus Joey Veerman, Bart Verbruggen and Matthijs de Ligt, sat out of Friday night’s opening Euro 2024 defeat to France.

Gakpo, de Ligt and Verbruggen were all able to return to the camp for Monday’s 3-0 win over Gibraltar, but Botman and Veerman stayed at home.

As a result, there were fears the 23-year-old might not recover in time for Sunday’s Premier League clash at home to Manchester United, but those have been eased.

Botman was spotted back at Newcastle’s Benton training base watching Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton take on Matt Ritchie and Javier Manquillo at footvolley whilst chatting with close teammate Sean Longstaff.

Nick Pope, Allan Saint-Maximin & Callum Wilson train

It’s likely Nick Pope, Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson will be involved this weekend after benefitting from the two-week international break.

Pope played through the 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest with an unspecified injury, which forced him to withdraw from the England squad. Saint-Maximin, meanwhile, was taken off at half-time after feeling some tightness in his hamstring.

Due to illness and general muscle tightness, Wilson had barely trained in the build-up to United’s previous two matches - Wolverhampton Wanderers and Forest. Against Wolves, Wilson came on as a substitute but wasn’t risked at the City Ground six days later.

The trio looked to be in good spirits ahead of facing Man United. Pope is expected to start at St James’ Park but Saint-Maximin and Wilson face extra competition for their spots.

Anthony Gordon not spotted

There’s a chance Anthony Gordon could be involved against the Red Devils, although he wasn’t spotted in the training video released by the club on Wednesday.

The £45million January signing from Everton picked up an ankle injury during his first Magpies’ start at Manchester City earlier this month, forcing him to miss Wolves and Notts Forest.

United head coach Eddie Howe revealed before the break Gordon’s injury was a “little more serious than a one or two-week injury” but hoped to have the 22-year-old back in time for Man United.

Gordon made good progress out in Dubai, but only time will tell if he’s able to play a part this weekend.

Any other absentees?

Neither Loris Karius or Martin Dubravka were spotted, though the latter’s absence is likely to be linked to his involvement with the Slovakia national team.

Similarly, there was no Alexander Isak (Sweden) or Jamal Lewis (Northern Ireland), who are both travelling back from representing their respective countries. Miguel Almiron was also missing from full training as he recovers from a six-week thigh injury.

Two youngsters called up

With Howe two goalkeepers down, the United head coach called up under-21s goalkeepers Max Thompson and Will Brown.

England under-18s international Thompson is no stranger to the senior step up having been named as the ‘third man’ behind Karius and Mark Gillespie for Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Man United.

Thompson, son of club kit man Ray, joined the Magpies’ academy aged 11 and signed his professional contract just over 12 months ago.

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