Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has issued an update on defensive duo Florian Lejeune and Ciaran Clark.
The Spaniard has confirmed that fringe player Clark trained with everyone else but is now sidelined for the clash with Watford due to illness, whilst adding that the rest of the squad are available for selection.
Lejeune – who picked up a knee injury during pre-season and has not featured so far this campaign – took part in the team’s warm up, but no comeback date has been revealed yet.
“Florian Lejeune is getting closer and took part in the warm up with the team. Ciaran Clark has also trained but he is ill so I will say now he is not in the squad,” he said in his pre-match press conference, as quoted by the Chronicle.
“The rest are available and that is good news.”
OPINION
Even though comeback date is yet to be revealed for Lejeune, the fact that he took part in the warm up with the team will have no doubt been a major boost for Benitez. Lejeune was a key player last season before he was injured, so the fact that he is one step closer to recovery can only be viewed as a positive. As for Clark, the fact that the 29-year-old is out with illness will not impact on the team’s potential success against Watford that much. Yes, he has provided excellent cover while some players were sidelined, but Benitez only views him as a fringe player as opposed to a first team player. It will mean that the Spaniard will have less depth defensively against the Hornets, but it is unlikely that he will have a injury to one of his main defenders on Saturday. However, despite the minor setbacks, fans will have their fingers crossed for their first win.