With Newcastle set to host Manchester United on Sunday, Ruben Amorim’s side have been curious about the fitness of two Newcastle’s stars.
As Newcastle continue their push for Champions League football, they face the task of Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United this coming weekend.
With it looking like a pretty steep task for Amorim’s men, who are still suffering several key injuries, they will be hoping that Eddie Howe’s side have to play without two of their key players.
Heading into the Premier League tie, there are eight places separating the sides. Newcastle sit up in fifth with a game in hand on those around them, whilst United are down in 13th.
With Newcastle manager Howe being sick, it has left media duties to assistant Jason Tindall, who has given the latest fitness updates regarding two of Newcastle’s star men.
Isak and Gordon fitness updates for United clash
Despite missing all of The Magpies last four games, Anthony Gordon could be set for a return this weekend, 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’ll have to make a late call on whether he’s available for Sunday,” he added.
Tindall was then asked about Gordon’s partner in crime, the red hot Alexander Isak, who was substituted early as a precaution against Leicester City on Monday.
When asked about the 25-year-old, Tindall replied: “He’s trained and he feels fine. [It is] one we will assess day by day but we are hoping he is available.”
United set for tough task away at Newcastle
With it looking likely that both Gordon and Isak will feature against United on Sunday, Amorim’s side will be hoping that they can avoid a repeat of the reverse fixture at Old Trafford back in December.
That clash saw both of Newcastle’s star attackers feature in a 2-0 away win, where Isak scored the opener before Gordon assisted the second only 15 minutes later.
However for United, some good news will be the recent reintroduction of the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, and Luke Shaw, who were all on the bench against Lyon last night, with all but Shaw featuring.
In the 2-2 away draw in France, one of the key takeaways for Amorim was how important his substitutes were, with the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, and the aforementioned Mount and Mainoo making a big impact off the bench.
Sunday could see Amorim shake up his starting XI as he attempts to change the fortunes of United’s poor campaign, but there are questions whether it be enough for the high-flying Magpies, who are aiming for their fifth win in a row.
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