Sean Longstaff avoids ‘serious’ injury update in Newcastle news before Leeds United clash
Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff has been rated as doubtful for the Premier League clash with Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday, despite avoiding a “serious” layoff.
He sustained a foot injury in the convincing 4-1 over Everton last month leading to concerns that his season would be over.
Eddie Howe could be without the services of the midfielder this week but with his squad in formidable form, Leeds will have plenty to contend with as they pursue points to stave off the threat of relegation to the Championship.
Having registered 40 appearances this season, his impact has been a significant one as the Magpies push toward their target of Champions League qualification, as outlined by the Daily Mail feature.
“Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff has avoided a serious foot injury amid fears his season could have been over,” said the report.
“Mail Sport understands the 25-year-old has not broken a bone after he visited a specialist on Tuesday.
“He remains doubtful for Saturday’s trip to Leeds but there is a chance he could return, in what would be a major boost for head coach Eddie Howe.”
Plenty to contend with
Whites boss Sam Allardyce obviously needs to secure a result in the first of the final three fixtures of the season.
The club is currently adrift in the relegation zone with a two-point gap to safety, following positive results for Everton and Nottingham Forest on Monday.
Leeds to find their own response but it won’t come easy against Newcastle who have plenty of motivation for themselves. Longstaff could be an absentee, but that won’t feature too much in the thinking of Allardyce who will seek to utilise a full week of preparation ahead of the massive occasion at Elland Road.
The aim will be to build on an encouraging second-half performance at Manchester City last weekend but they can’t afford to fall behind again, in the contest with Newcastle.
They need to show that they can save their season before it is too late, the Big Sam bounce has to happen very soon.
In other Leeds news, Simon Jordan and Jim White share Whites verdict live on talkSPORT after what the players watched.