Early team news: 3 ruled out, 2 doubts and 1 set to return for Newcastle's trip to Brighton?
Eddie Howe has issued an update on the injury front ahead of tomorrow's trip to The Amex, revealing some mixed news on the fitness front.
Sadly, he's confirmed that Jonjo Shelvey will be missing for 12 weeks after undergoing surgery on his hamstring, meaning he'll be missing until after the World Cup.
Emil Krafth is also struggling with a tight hamstring, meaning he's struggling to reach full speed - despite the fact scans showed no sign of an injury. Howe is hopeful it'll be a "very short term" problem, however it seems he and Javier Manquillo - who sat out pre-season with a groin injury - are early doubts for Brighton.
The good news is that Jamaal Lascelles has been passed fit after missing out last weekend, however the game will come too soon for Jamal Lewis and Federico Fernandez. Both have trained this week and "looked good" according to Howe, but it seems the NUFC boss wants to see more before they'll be deemed ready to return to our matchday squad.
Here's what Howe has had to say on all six ahead of tomorrow's 3pm kick off on the South Coast:
Howe on Jamaal Lewis and Federico Fernandez:
"We've seen them training. Jamal has done a couple of days which is great to see. He's looked good.
"Fede, again, has done a couple of days. We've gently re-introduced him as he's broken down on a couple of times. Very keen to see him consistently train with us. Fingers crossed he can do that as he's looked very, very good - he's a top player."
Howe on Emil Krafth:
"It's a strange one as there wasn't really an injury it was more just tightness. He's had two scans and they've come back clear.
"I don't think there's an injury but maybe a problem with his back that's stopping him getting to full speed. Hopefully that'll be very short term."
Howe on Jamaal Lascelles:
"Jamaal is OK. He missed the early part of training this week but came back towards the end so we anticipate that he'll be fit."
Howe on Jonjo Shelvey:
"It was quite a complex one, we had a number of scans. And a number of opinions with Jonjo because we wanted to make the right call.
"It wasn't a clear or simple injury so he's had an operation and we expect him to be out around 12 weeks. He was very disappointed because he's worked so hard in pre-season.
"He's in a good physical shape so it was a real shame for him but he's on the road to recovery now and in a much better place after the operation than before mentally."
