Rafa Benitez has given injury updates on Mikel Merino, Paul Dummett and captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Mikel Merino suffered a back problem in training before the 1-0 defeat away to Burnley, with the Spaniard’s last appearance being the 1-0 win at home to Crystal Palace, where he scored the winner.
Rafa Benitez fears that the young man may be out until December
Benitez has said about the midfielder (via Shields Gazette):
A couple of weeks at least for Merino.
Jamaal Lascelles was brought off in the 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth with an ankle problem.
It is unlikely that either Merino or Lascelles will be ready for the return from the international break trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
The manager spoke about the club captain
He’s been working with the physios and getting a little bit better, but it’s slow.
Winger Christian Atsu was also brought off in the Bournemouth match after a small injury but has since gone away with Ghana for international matches, so there’s nothing to worry about with him.
Where left-back Dummett is concerned, he has been out since an injury on the first day of the season in the match against Tottenham.
Speaking about the Welshman, Benitez had to say
Dummet’s been training. He’s been getting better.
Dummett looks to be nearly at the end of his time away with the hamstring problem and will make a comeback soon, with Javier Manquillo and Chancel Mbemba filling in at left-back during this time.
