Sandro Tonali update as Newcastle United pair 'close' to return vs Liverpool
Newcastle United injury update ahead of the Premier League trip to Liverpool.
Newcastle United could welcome back Sven Botman and Joelinton for Wednesday’s trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool.
The Magpies have been without both players since the beginning of February, with Joelinton withdrawing with a knee injury in the 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham before Botman too sustained a knee problem in the 2-0 win over Arsenal four days later.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, United boss Eddie Howe says the pair will be close for the visit to Anfield.
“Sven's improving and he's improving quickly, so we'll see whether he makes the game or not,” Howe said. “He'll be close
“Again with Joe, similar to Sven, really improving, doing really well, pushing and again he's another player that will be quite close.
“I think Joe's always important from a number of perspectives and certainly defensively and defending set plays are two of those key aspects that we've missed when he's not there.
“He brings a physicality and a strength that when he's missing. Tere's an obvious presence missing in our midfield. Joey's a massive player for us, we hope to get him fit very soon.”
Meanwhile, Howe believes Sandro Tonali is now fully fit after a hamstring issue last week meant he was only fit enough to make the bench for Sunday’s 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest.
The Italian was introduced in the 70th minute and has come through unscathed. He is likely to start at Anfield, a ground Newcastle haven’t won at for 30 years.
Previewing the visit to Merseyside, Howe said: “We need every aspect of our game to be functioning as it was in the first half, really, against Nottingham Forest, albeit we conceded the first goal. That's a part I thought we responded really, really well.
“We were free-flowing. We were dynamic, flexible in terms of our tactical play. We showed no fear. We attacked the game and scored four great goals in a period of time where we were in a great moment.
“We had a great flow about us, but we lost that in the second half. (5:09) We're going to need that attacking verve that we had in that first period.”