NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Fabian Schar of Newcastle United goes down with a head injury during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on April 02, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Newcastle United vs. Brentford team news, with five players ruled out and five others doubtful.
The most recent team news in advance of Newcastle United’s home encounter against Premier League rivals Brentford.
As Newcastle United prepares to visit unbeaten Brentford at St James Park on Saturday evening, manager Eddie Howe has a number of key decisions.
The Magpies are trying to snap a three-game losing streak against a Bees team that has one win and three draws from their first four league games. Brentford came to Tyneside hoping for only their second-ever victory at Gallowgate, with their sole prior triumph coming in September 1934.
NewcastleWorld examines the crucial decisions facing Howe and Bees rival Thomas Frank ahead of what already appears to be a pivotal match for both sides.
During the first month of the Premier League season, the Italy international has had mixed results. After impressing and scoring against Aston Villa on the first day, the former AC Milan man demonstrated his class with a hardworking performance versus Liverpool at home.
He struggled to make an impression in defeats to Manchester City and Brighton, and he could now miss Saturday’s home game due to a thigh injury sustained during the recent international break.
Eddie Howe stated of Tonali in his pre-match press conference: “I think he felt his thigh in training [with Italy].” He’s returned and been scanned. There’s a minor injury there, but it’s not significant or lasting. But we’ll have to see if he’s available this weekend.”
Late fitness testing for the duo
Howe also stated that he hopes to have defender Sven Botman and midfielder Elliot Anderson available for the match against the Bees.
Botman suffered an ankle injury against Liverpool, and Howe has stated that the former Lille defender has been training all week and might ‘potentially’ return to the starting lineup. The United manager shared Anderson’s sentiments and is hoping that the brilliant midfielder will be available after withdrawing from international duty with Scotland and picking up a knock in training.
With a groin issue, Spanish defender Javier Manquillo is also questionable.
Long-term injury victims continue to be unavailable.
Emil Krafth, a defender, and Joe Willock, a midfielder, are both confirmed absentees from Saturday’s encounter.
Krafth is still roughly a month away from returning to action as he nears the end of his recuperation from a catastrophic knee injury suffered in a Carabao Cup triumph over Tranmere Rovers in August last year.
Willock was anticipated to return before the international break, but Howe said that he is still ‘about six weeks away’ from returning.
“Unfortunately, Joe has had a bit of a setback,” he remarked earlier this month. His Achilles injury is unrelated to his hamstring issue. So, I believe he will be missing for another six weeks. In terms of energy, we are missing him.”
Three Bees players have been ruled out, but a midfielder could return.
Thomas Frank, the manager of Brentford, has his own selection problems ahead of the trip to Tyneside.
Former Newcastle United striker Ivan Toney will be out until January as he serves a suspension for violating betting laws, and both defender Josh Dasilva and midfielder Shandon Baptiste are currently recovering from hamstring and shoulder injuries, respectively.
Mikkel Damsgaard of Denmark could be back in contention after Frank said there was a’slim possibility’ he would recover from a groin ailment in time to play.
