Wolves confirm fresh injury blow as Julen Lopetegu makes big Newcastle United claim

Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Julen Lopetegui has confirmed Diego Costa will miss Sunday’s Premier League trip to Newcastle United (kick-off 4:30pm).

The former Chelsea striker started last weekend’s 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur but was stretchered off in the 28th minute because of a knee injury.

Lopetegui has revealed the 34-year-old will miss the visit to St James’ Park, although his injury is not as bad as first feared.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Lopetegui said: “He picked up an injury in the last match. Fortunately, it’s not serious but he will be out for, I think, two to four weeks.”

Newcastle and Wolves played out a 1-1 draw at Molineux in August following Allan Saint-Maximin’s late equaliser. But Sunday’s visitors have improved since Lopetegui succeeded Bruno Lage as manager in November.

In slight contrast, Eddie Howe’s side are enduring their most difficult patch of the campaign, with a run of one win in eight matches seeing United fall out of the top four and into sixth.

But despite Newcastle’s recent form, Lopetegui believes Howe’s men remain one of the best teams in the Premier League, and reckons Champions League qualification is still a realistic ambition.

“I think we are playing against one of the strongest teams in the Premier League,” the Spaniard said on Newcastle. “They have a fantastic squad and a very good coach. They play with one very clear style and are strong with and without the ball.

“I love to see them. They are one of the best teams in the Premier League. They are ready to fight for the Champions League. We will go there thinking we can compete with them. It’s a hard match, but an exciting one for us.”

United sit four points outside the top four but with two games in-hand over Spurs.