- Newcastle United team news ahead of Brighton
- Eddie Howe hopes for double boost
- Brighton to be without key midfielders
Newcastle United welcome Brighton to St James’ Park this weekend in desperate need of a result and the Magpies could be boosted by the returns of two key first team stars.
Joelinton is certainly back in the squad following his two-match suspension and Eddie Howe has also provided an update on the hip injury picked up by Anthony Gordon last month.
Meanwhile, it’s less positive news for the visitors with Fabian Hurzeler still without key Brighton midfielders. Here’s your team news.
Newcastle United team news
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe confirmed that Anthony Gordon had taken part in first team training this week and could return from a hip injury against Brighton.
Speaking in his press conference on Friday, the Magpies boss said: “He did part of a session on Wednesday. It was great to see him back on the pitch. He’s a player of huge quality and one that we’ve missed. We’ll make an assessment on his fitness closer to the game.”
Newcastle will also be boosted by the return of Joelinton following his two-game suspension. The Brazil international was forced to miss out against AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal having accumulated too many yellow cards.
Howe said: “He’s a massive part of what we do. He’s got that will to win and that determination to fight for everything.
“Every loose ball, every duel. He’s there from the beginning of the game to the end. He’s got that mentality we need more of. When he’s not playing I think we miss something and it’ll be great to have him back available.”
Tino Livramento is fighting to be back before the end of the season after limping off against Bournemouth, but Brighton will come too soon. Howe said prior to Arsenal: “With Tino he went for a scan initially, we don’t think it’s a bad injury, we’ll wait and see whether he’ll play again this season. He’s due to have another scan at the weekend to determine the full extent of his time out.”
Fabian Schar needed an operation on an infected foot and has not played since the 4-3 win over Leeds United in January. He is expected to miss out again. Emil Krafth is a long term absentee.
Doubts – Anthony Gordon. Outs – Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth.
Brighton team news
Brighton will remain without the services of veteran midfielder James Milner against Newcastle United. The Premier League stalwart will miss a fourth consecutive fixture for the Seagulls but is expected to return to training next week.
Fabian Hurzeler will also be without Pascal Gross but the player is ‘very close’ to a return to first team action. Solly March has had an injury plagued campaign and missed out of the matchday squad in the last two fixtures due to a knock, but could return at St James’ Park.
Hurzeler confirmed that centre-back Diego Gomez is expected to play again for Brighton this season, having picked up a knee injury against Tottenham. However, Newcastle is set to come too soon. Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas are also sidelined.
Doubts – Solly March. Outs – James Milner, Pascal Gross, Diego Gomez, Adam Webster, Stefanos Tzimas.
In other news, ‘Bid Rejected’: Newcastle United and Aston Villa boosted as rival £30m bid knocked back.
