OPINION
Newcastle United fans might have had to wait two weeks before seeing their side back in action – courtesy of the international break – but you can be certain that they are still riding the high from two successive Premier League victories.
A win against Watford was followed up by three points against Bournemouth at St James’ Park, and it was a game where the Toon Army finally got to see the very best of summer signing Salomon Rondon as he smashed home two goals in the 2-1 triumph.
It was a typical striker’s display, bullying defences and making a real nuisance of himself with his physical presence, but with a clash away to Burnley – a side who are well suited to a rough and tumble outing – Rondon might well have been worried about how much impact he could have.
The Clarets have the likes of James Tarkowski, Ben Gibson and Ben Mee on their books who are all powerful centre backs in their own right – but Newcastle have been handed a boost by seeing the former two ruled out of the game.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche confirmed to the club’s official Twitter account that both are still working towards fitness after their injury setbacks and there will be no one jumping for joy higher than Rondon.
Sean Dyche confirms that Ben Gibson and James Tarkowski will both miss Monday's game v @NUFC.
Gibson will feature for the U23 squad this weekend instead as he builds up his fitness.— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) November 22, 2018
Either – or both – starting for the home side at Turf Moor would have made his job a tough task and while Mee is likely to start, partner Kevin Long is not the most physical of centre backs.
The duo kept the pacey Jamie Vardy quiet when they visited Leicester City but Mee and the missing Tarkowski were undone by the physicality of West Ham’s Marko Arnautovic the week before in a 4-2 defeat.
With Rondon very much in the same mould as the Hammers ace rather than the Foxes’ Vardy, the Burnley defenders are there for the taking, and the Venezuelan will be rubbing his hands together at the prospect of taking them on.