Eddie Howe’s Newcastle squad have been hit by a sickness bug ahead of the Manchester United clash
As many as 13 players could miss Manchester United’s match with Newcastle United this evening. The Reds were given a surprise boost ahead of their Premier League clash after the Magpies squad was hit by an illness bug.
Eddie Howe will be without £69million man Nick Woltemade who has come down with an illness, while Jacob Ramsey was also sick during the Magpies’ defeat to Everton at the weekend.
Newcastle are set to run checks on Ramsey ahead of the game, while Tino Livramento could return for the Magpies, though Howe would not go as far to confirm his return to the matchday squad. The Toon are already without a key midfield duo – talisman Bruno Guimaraes and youngster Lewis Miley.
While their are further absentees in defence with Emil Krafth and Fabian Schar confirmed to be sidelined. It amounts to seven Newcastle players who could miss the game.
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Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Howe said: “Nick Woltemade has come down ill. Let’s see, we will give him every chance. There is obviously an illness in the squad.”
On Livramento, he said:”Possibly. Tino is getting closer and closer, this game possibly comes too soon for him, we are desperate for him to become available.
“It’s like a chain that goes down, we’re desperate for him to be back available, but it has to be at the right time. And every injury situation is not always as simple as you give a return date and the player comes back.
“There’s always little things that can happen either way. I think he’s slightly ahead of the schedule initially given, but yeah, he’s in the last little bits of his rehab now.”
United have injury problems of their own with Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire doubts after the win over Crystal Palace.
Carrick said: “We’re hoping so, we’re working towards it. They weren’t feeling too good, so we’ve still got a bit of time to the game, and we’ll just have to see how they feel. We’ll obviously give them every chance.”
United were also without Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Patrick Dorgu and Matthijs de Ligt for the win over the Eagles, and the quartet are unlikely to feature at St. James’ Park, taking the Reds’ tally to six possible absentees.
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