Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has confirmed a triple first-team boost ahead of their Premier League clash against West Ham, with Jamaal Lascelles, Yoshinori Muto and Florian Lejeune all back in full training.
Lascelles has been missing with a shoulder injury and Muto with a calf complaint, while Lejeune is in the process of returning from a serious knee injury sustained in the summer.
Benitez has now confirmed that all three players took part in first-team training this week as they prepare for the visit of West Ham, with Paul Dummett the only player still injured.
The Spaniard was speaking in the pre-match press conference, as quoted by Chronicle journalist Lee Ryder on Twitter.
Rafa on injuries: "The only one that hasn't trained is Dummett. Lascelles, Lejeune, Muto and Sterry have all trained." #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) November 30, 2018
OPINION
This is a serious boost for Benitez and Newcastle, who are flying high after three wins on the bounce ahead of the visit of West Ham to St. James’ Park. The return of Lascelles means that their main leader is back in contention to play, although it is hard to see how he actually fits straight back into the side. Players like Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez have been playing out of the skin during this winning run, and it may be that Lascelles has to settle for a place on the bench on Saturday. Muto is an attacking boost for Benitez, with the Japan international looking likely at times before his unfortunately timed calf injury. Muto will add some firepower to an attack which badly needs it despite this winning run, with players like Ayoze Perez continuing to disappoint for the Magpies. Lejeune is the least likely out of the three to actually feature on Saturday, with the Frenchman on the way back from a serious injury, with his recovery likely to take a few more weeks.