New Newcastle United injury update on 'long-term' absentees
Eddie Howe's latest bulletin on injured Newcastle United quartet Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Targett and Lewis Miley.
A clutch of players were left behind on Tyneside when Newcastle United travelled to Japan.
Eddie Howe’s team take on Urawa Red Diamonds in Saitama today, and following the game on Tyneside will be Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Targett and Lewis Miley among others.
Botman and club captain Lascelles had surgery their anterior cruciate ligaments late last season, while Targett and Miley are out with Achilles and foot injuries respectively.
“Matt’s close,” said Howe. “We anticipate he’ll hopefully return to training probably in the build-up to Southampton, that was the plan.
“The other two (Botman and Lascelles) are longer-term with knee injuries, but we hope maybe towards the end of the year that they’ll be closer.”
Botman and Lascelles suffered their injuries in March, and, at the time, the club spoke of hoped-for returns “within six-to-nine months”.
Miley had a remarkable campaign in 2023/24, taking advantage of injuries to key players, and Sandro Tonali’s 10-month betting suspension, to play a key role for the team at home and abroad while aged only 17.
The midfielder suffered the injury while training over the summer.
“Lewy, it was a big blow losing him, but he’s making good progress,” said Howe.
Miley’s elder brother Jamie is with the squad in Japan, and could feature in Saitama.
Howe also revealed that Garang Kuol, Joe White and Alex Murphy had not travelled to Japan because of injuries.
Kuol, 19, is likely to be loaned out again by the club this season.
Meanwhile, Lloyd Kelly, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock – who sat out last weekend’s 2-0 win over Hull City, but trained yesterday – are likely to be involved in Saturday’s game against Yokohama F Marinos in Tokyo.
Kelly, 25, joined the club on a free transfer this summer following the expiry of his Bournemouth contract.
Howe isn’t expecting to sign any more free agents this summer.
“I think the free transfers are gone,” said Howe. “We’ve got one in Lloyd, who I think’s a brilliant one, and there are a couple of others out there, but I think now it’s about probably signing players for money.”
Thiaw links
The injuries to Botman and Lascelles have left Howe short at the back, and United’s head coach was yesterday asked about speculation linking the club with 22-year-old AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw.
“I’m always reluctant to comment on these things, but he’s a player I know about, of course I do, from our games in the Champions League against Milan,” said Howe.
“And yeah, he’s a very good player, but that’s it.”