OPINION
Newcastle United once again enter a Premier League game on Saturday hoping to record their first victory of the season.
However, Rafael Benitez’s side have received a boost with the news that Watford captain Troy Deeney is a doubt for the game with a thigh injury.
The Englishman has missed game time in recent weeks with the problem, and Hornets boss Javi Gracia admitted on Thursday that the 30-year-old could miss the contest at St James’ Park.
“We have the same point, in the same situation with Troy [Deeney], he is training out of the team at the moment and we will see tomorrow, but it will be difficult for him to be available for the next game,” he told Football London.
Newcastle’s players, and their centre halves Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernandez in particular, will be hoping that Gracia’s estimation of the situation proves correct.
Deeney is one of the toughest assignments for a centre back in the Premier League, and the prospect of a Newcastle victory would be greatly aided by his absence.
The 6ft frontman [Source: Transfermarkt] has a flawless record against the Magpies in his career, winning all four of his games against the club while scoring once and assisting twice [Source: Transfermarkt].
It’s clear that Newcastle would be better off if Deeney doesn’t make the trip to the North East. The burly centre forward is a defender’s nightmare and he showed signs of forming a devastating partnership with Andre Gray earlier this campaign.
Newcastle have been on the wrong end of the fixture list and referees’ decisions this term, but perhaps Deeney’s absence could be the start of their luck changing.
Victory would not be assured if the Watford skipper misses the game, but it would go a long way towards helping the Magpies end the drought which has plagued their season thus far.