Steve Bruce confirmed that Sean Longstaff has been ruled out of the Premier League clash against Liverpool on Saturday.
The midfielder turned his ankle in training in what has been described as a ‘freak’ injury and Bruce said they wouldn’t know how serious it was for a few days.
Chronicle journalist Mark Douglas tweeted the news and said the injury gives Jonjo Shelvey – on a reported £70k-a-week – a “big opportunity” – but there were plenty of Newcastle fans who disagreed with him.
So Longstaff out. Big opportunity for Jonjo Shelvey to make a case of regular starts with a good performance at Anfield.
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) September 13, 2019
It’s another blow for Longstaff who broke into the Newcastle first team last season before suffering a knee injury and missing the last nine games in the Premier League.
It makes a tough game against Liverpool even tougher for Newcastle, but these fans think it will be even worse if Bruce brings Shelvey back into his starting XI.
https://twitter.com/BootGeordie/status/1172445930680795137
He’ll get sent off.
— Mr Lukjit (@Ruxjit) September 13, 2019
Shelvey was lambasted by fans after getting sent off in the first game of the 17/18 season against Tottenham and he got his marching orders again in December.
However, since then he has only had one yellow card in the Premier League in almost two years, although his game time has decreased.
Shelvey only made 16 appearances in the Premier League last season and has been dropped to the bench for the past two games by Bruce.
Still, one yellow card in almost two years suggests that his wild days are behind him.
If shelvey starts we won’t get a result
— Sha???? (@Mickey_sha_10) September 13, 2019
One fan said, “If Shelvey starts we won’t get a result”. The bookies think they’ve got no chance of getting a result anyway.
Liverpool are as low as 2/13 to beat Newcastle and Bruce’s side are 20/1 to come away with all three points and 8/1 to snatch a point.
Football throws up some funny results but with Liverpool on a run of 13 successive Premier League wins, Shelvey or no Shelvey, Newcastle are up against it tomorrow.
Shelvey at Anfield would be awful.
— Dell ???? (@agbnufc) September 13, 2019
Id play Schar in CM. Shelvey doesn’t have the discipline to play against a team with so many runners off the ball. #nufc
— Sean Casey (@caseysean51) September 13, 2019
One fan suggested Fabian Schar should play in midfield instead and the Switzerland international showed his attacking chops when he scored for his country in the international break.
However, he hasn’t played in midfield before and we can’t see Bruce playing him out of position after critics have already questioned his tactical nous this season.
No way I’d start him there we need legs.
— Dean Ford (@DeanJFord) September 13, 2019
I still wouldn’t start shelvey
— Stewart (@costanza55) September 13, 2019