Chris Waugh has been speaking on the latest episode of Pod on the Tyne about how he expects Javier Manquillo to return for Newcastle United at the weekend.
Manquillo has not featured for Newcastle since he limped off injured in the first half against Aston Villa on 13th February and appears to have lost his place at the minute to Emil Krafth, who’s kept the Spaniard on the bench for the previous two matches.
Who is a better right back?
Krafth!
Manquillo!
The full-back would have likely been a regular under Howe given that Kieran Trippier is a long-term absentee with a broken foot, so will be counting himself very unlucky to have picked up an injury in the same game – but with three games in seven days for Newcastle, he could get some minutes.
As a result, Waugh expects to see Manquillo come back into the side against Southampton.
He said: “I do think an away game against increased improvement in terms of opposition, a higher level of opposition, and given the physical output of the last few weeks, I would expect to see changes.
“Someone like Javier Manquillo may well come in at right-back as well, I think we’ll see a few changes across the team.”
TIF Thoughts on Manquillo…
Newcastle have managed to keep four clean sheets in the Premier League this season and Manquillo has started three of those, which points towards him being a key member of the back four.
Manquillo is proving himself to be a very shrewd since signing back in 2017, considering he cost the Magpies just £4.5m, has racked up 100 appearances for the club and featured in more games than he’s missed under Howe, so he will be hoping that a solid performance in one of these next three games is enough to earn back that right-back spot.
In other news: ‘Even Howe admitted’ – Journo hints NUFC boss was ‘concerned’ after what he saw Jan signing do