Eddie Howe decided against revealing which Newcastle United players will need to be assessed before Sunday’s Premier League clash with top-five rivals Chelsea at St James’ Park.
The Magpies managed to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend courtesy of an 89th-minute penalty from Alexander Isak.
Fabian Schar limped off in the closing stages at the Amex Stadium, with Howe stating after the match that was not sure whether the defender was dealing with cramp or a muscle issue.
Kieran Trippier also appeared to be struggling as he came off in second-half stoppage time, but Howe was “pretty sure” that the right-back was only suffering with cramp.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday about the fitness of his squad, Howe told reporters: “A couple of players we’re looking at and assessing, and we’ll see how they are from the weekend.
“But apart from that we’re okay. We’ve trained well this week, I’ve been pleased with the group – very focused on our next match.”
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Howe keeps cards close to his chest, but issues positive Joelinton update
The Magpies boss was pushed on exactly which players are being assessed, and he replied: “Let’s keep it under wraps and see if they make it.”
One Newcastle player who will not return in time for the clash with Chelsea in midfielder Joelinton, who has been receiving treatment in Barcelona for a knee injury.
Howe has refused to rule out the possibility of Joelinton returning to action before the end of this season and has issued a positive update on the Brazil international.
He said: “I saw Joe yesterday for the first time in a while, because he’d been away getting treatment and returned to Brazil briefly, but he’s been back in Barcelona for another injection.
“I think he’s been feeling pretty good, and whether we see him before the end of the season, I’m not sure.”
Joelinton is joined in the treatment room by Lewis Hall (foot), Matt Targett (thigh) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL), the latter of whom has been sidelined for over 12 months but he has begun “very light training”.
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Meanwhile, Howe has discussed the prospect of Anthony Gordon earning his first start since February, saying: “He’s pushing. This is his best week physically. He had an issue he picked up with England and it’s taken him a while to get back to full fitness.
“He did well when he came on against Brighton and he adds a different dimension to our game, directness and running.”
Howe: ‘Every game has become our biggest game’
Newcastle currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, slipping down one place last weekend following their draw with Brighton and a win for third-placed Manchester City over Wolves.
The Magpies are hovering just above fifth-placed Chelsea only by goal difference and sit two points clear of Nottingham Forest in sixth with three games remaining to secure Champions League football for next season.
“Every game we have between now and the end of the season becomes our biggest game of the season”, said Howe. “We know the importance of where we finish in the Premier League.
“We’re doing everything we can to finish as high as we can and there’s a possibility it can go to the last game. All we can do is take care of our next opponent and try to give everything we can to win.”
Chelsea beat Newcastle 2-1 in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge in October last year, but the Magpies got their revenge at St James’ Park in the EFL Cup just three days later, winning by a 2-0 scoreline.
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