Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that midfielder Jonjo Shelvey and defender Federico Fernandez are out of Saturday’s game against Huddersfield Town.
Shelvey has been struggling with a thigh problem in recent weeks, while Fernandez came off against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out with a calf injury.
Benitez told the media at his pre match press conference on Friday, as cited by journalist Lee Ryder on his personal Twitter account, that both players won’t make the clash with the Terriers.
Shelvey and Federico Fernandez ruled OUT of Huddersfield game, Rafa: "Yedlin suspended, Fernandez has a knock in his calf, he is progressing but isn't available.
"Shelvey will be assessed in the next 10 days." #nufc— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) December 14, 2018
The Magpies boss said that Fernandez was progressing but that Saturday’s game would be too soon, while Shelvey will be assessed in the next ten days.
OPINION
This is a major blow to Newcastle. Both players have proven themselves to be incredibly important to Benitez’s team and for the manager to be without them for such an important game is a major negative. Fernandez has been sensational, one of Newcastle’s finest players, since joining from Swansea City in the summer and the Magpies defence will be weaker without him manning it. Having said that, Benitez does have Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and the returning Florian Lejeune, so this news isn’t as bad as it could have been. Shelvey’s absence will likely be felt more keenly on Saturday as the Magpies attempt to break down a resolute Huddersfield defence. The former Swansea man’s passing ability would have been useful in that regard, but Benitez will have to push on with Mohamed Diame and Ki Sung-yueng in the middle of the park once again. Hopefully neither man’s absence will hurt the team too much at the John Smith’s Stadium.