Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has confirmed that Toon duo Ayoze Perez and Jamaal Lascelles will be fine to play Liverpool on Saturday night.
The Spaniard was withdrawn after hitting the Magpies’ goal in their 1-1 draw with Brighton last weekend, while captain Lascelles missed that match entirely.
But Benitez has suggested that both will be viable for the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s title contenders tomorrow.
As quoted in the Chronicle (13.45), he said: “Ayoze is fine. Lascelles is fine.
“Yedlin has a groin problem, but the rest of the players who haven’t been out injured are fine.
“Ayoze is on fire so that is very good news for us. Let’s see if he can make the difference or not.”
OPINION
This is brilliant news for Newcastle. Perez and Lascelles have been two of the club’s influential stars this season, and having both fit and ready for such and important game will be amigo boost. The chances of the Magpies getting anything out of this one appear, admittedly, slim, but if they are to cause an upset, they will need all hands on deck. Perez in particular will be a significant addition. The Spaniard is in the kind of irresistible form that means he only needs to slightest opportunity to punish a side at the moment, and with chances likely to be at a premium against the Reds, he will need to be at his sharpest to capitalise on even the slightest opening. As for Lascelles, you get the impression that the Magpies may be up against it for long periods of this one, so if the have their captain and leader marshalling things at the back for them, that can only be a bonus.