Matthias Jaissle was short of options before Monday’s visit to Coventry City. Now his goalkeeping depth has taken a hit too.
Summer signing Ewen Jaouen faces several weeks on the sidelines after a hamstring injury on France Under-21 duty, Coventry Live reports. The young keeper is expected to be out for two months.
A frustrating start for the £25m keeper
The move saw Jaouen join up from Reims in June for a deal reportedly valued at somewhere around £25m (figures can differ). It was heralded by Newcastle fans as giving them their long-term solution in goal. The Frenchman kept 15 clean sheets in his side’s Ligue 2 campaign this season. This is a stat which impressed the Magpies. But so far, his stay has proved rather inconsistent.
At 6 ft 6 in and just 20 years old, Jaouen has had a stop-start introduction to life on Tyneside. An ankle injury kept him out of three games, and according to Coventry Live, he has made only one appearance for the club so far.
He’d recently made a recovery from said injury when he took the latest blow. An MRI scan revealed that he needed to be returned to Newcastle earlier than originally planned.
Hornicek holds the gloves
The pecking order is evident. Czech international Lukas Hornicek, who was signed from Braga after Newcastle activated his reported €30m release clause, is the first choice for Jaissle. Nick Pope is still the reserve choice.
The injury gives Jaissle one decision to consider. Jaouen would be a contender for the Carabao Cup match against Everton later this month. Newcastle needs to decide if they will continue to utilise Hornicek or give Pope his opportunity.
Outfield problems pile up
The goalkeeper is only part of Jaissle’s headache. The Magpies were beaten 4-1 at Leeds in mid-September. Their first defeat under the German. The treatment room has stayed busy since.
Anthony Elanga is reportedly facing at least six weeks out with a hamstring injury. William Osula has been in a protective boot with a foot problem since the opening game against Liverpool. Captain Dan Burn is still waiting to play a competitive match after rolling his ankle before the season began. Jacob Ramsey hurt his thigh in the warm-up at Leeds. In addition, Tino Livramento pulled out of the England squad with an injury concern.
Coventry Live suggests Elanga, Osula, Burn, Ramsey and Livramento could all miss Monday’s game. Burn is the closest to a return.
What it means for Jaissle
None of it comes as a surprise to Jaissle. After the Leeds loss, he claimed the injury list provided an opportunity for other players in his squad, and he reiterated his faith in his academy policy.
Monday’s visit to Coventry will be the test of that policy, with slim cover on goal and a lack of firepower up front. Jaouen will be forced to the bench for weeks to come, while Newcastle searches for a win to put their Carabao Cup clash with Everton later in the month into perspective.
