Elanga and Touré injury updates offer Newcastle encouragement ahead of Villa

Newcastle United have received an encouraging double injury update, with Anthony Elanga moving closer to a training return and fears easing over Bazoumana Touré.

According to The Mail's Craig Hope, Elanga has made significant progress in his rehabilitation, while Touré is thought to have escaped serious injury following Monday's defeat at Coventry.

Elanga nearing return to training

Hope reports that Elanga is in the final stages of his recovery and could rejoin training shortly, with hope that the winger can return to action in the coming weeks.

That offers a more encouraging outlook than the December target reported in our previous Elanga update, which followed Lee Ryder's account of his recovery.

Matthias Jaissle had already suggested the Swede could come back earlier than expected, praising his mentality and professionalism as he worked through the injury.

Elanga's absence interrupted a promising start to the season, having scored against Liverpool and Tottenham before being sidelined in September. Jacob Murphy has started our last two Premier League games in his absence, so getting the 24-year-old back would restore competition on the right.

Touré fears ease after Coventry scare

There is also some reassurance over Touré, who took a heavy blow to his lower leg during the closing stages of our miserable 4-1 defeat at Coventry.

The Ivorian had come on in the 59th minute but was forced off in stoppage time, with Dan Burn replacing him.

In Tuesday's injury update, Jaissle's immediate assessment was that it was too early to establish the damage. Hope now reports that a serious injury is thought to have been avoided, although Touré's availability for Saturday's visit of Aston Villa remains unclear.

Avoiding a lengthy absence for Touré would spare Jaissle another problem out wide while Newcastle work towards getting Elanga back. After the disappointment at Coventry, some better news on both would be welcome.