Newcastle United duo Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie are making good progress in their respective bids to put recent injury struggles behind them, Rafa Benitez has confirmed.
The pair were absent in Newcastle’s recent fixture against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium and could only watch on as the Magpies were consigned to a narrow 2-1 defeat.
Nevertheless, Benitez appears to be in an optimistic mood over the duo’s fitness, with the pair using the international break to work hard on their recovery from injuries.
Speaking to NUFC TV, as cited in a report from the Chronicle Live, the Spaniard revealed that both Shelvey and Ritchie are working “really hard” to be available for after the international break.
When you have players injured the international break gives you some time to recover. They are training really hard and that’s good news for us because they’re getting closer.
It’s been a challenging start to the season for Newcastle, who are still without their first win of the season.
However, the near return to action for key duo Shelvey and Ritchie will undoubtedly come as a big boost to Benitez, who will see his side face Arsenal at home after the break has come to a close.
