Both Newcastle and Manchester United will head into Sunday’s Premier League showdown without some key players as Eddie Howe and Ruben Amorim assess their squads for the big game.
Howe himself will have a late fitness test after an illness ruled him out of pre-match media duties on Friday. Assistant Jason Tindall expects the Newcastle head coach to be able to take his place on the touchline at St James’ Park, but is ready to step up if needed, along with Graeme Jones.
Tindall also confirmed that Newcastle will make a call on winger Anthony Gordon with the star close to a return to action. He has not played in United colours since the FA Cup defeat to Brighton on March 2, which saw him pick up a three-match ban after being sent off. He was elligble to return against Leicester last Monday, but a hip injury he received while on international duty with England meant he sat that one out.
He could be included on the bench against Manchester United, with Tindall saying: “He’s had a decent week with the physios. He was back out on grass for a session yesterday so we’ll assess him today to see how he’s responded to that. Then we will assess him today and we will have to make a late call to see if he’s available for the bench on Sunday.”
Joe Willock is again likely to miss out after the midfielder suffered a concussion, with Howe revealing last week that he expected him to sit out this weekend’s match. He will join Sven Botman, Lewis Hall and Jamaal Lascelles on the injury list. While Hall and Lascelles are not expected to feature this season, Dutch defender Botman could return in May after undergoing minor surgery on a knee issue.
Alexander Isak, Joelinton and Tino Livramento picked up knocks in the wins over Brentford and Leicester, but the trio are expected to be fit to take their place in the starting XI against the Red Devils.
Ruben Amorim brings his squad to Tyneside without several first-team players as they look to recover from Thursday night’s Europa League quarter-final tie at Lyon. Four key players are expected to miss the game with central defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines.
De Ligt damaged his ankle against Nottingham Forest earlier this month, and missed the Manchester derby last weekend as well as the 2-2 draw in Lyon, while Martinez ruptured his ACL in February and won’t play again this season. Veteran defender Jonny Evans is also ruled out with a muscle problem, and has not featured since Boxing Day.
Former Sunderland loanee Amad has been a big miss for Man United, and the winger is not expected to feature befor next season after picking up an ankle injury. However, Kobbie Mainoo could be involved after making an appearance off the bench in France on Thursday night. Amorim will be cautious over his return with the England midfielder having missed the last 10 games.
Two youngster complete Man United’s injury list, with Ayden Heaven and Toby Collyer currently sidelined. Heaven could be involved in the coming weeks but is unlikely to feature at St James’ Park, while Collyer is another who should be fit in time for the final weeks of the campaign.
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