Newcastle will hand late fitness tests to Paul Dummett and Federico Fernandez ahead of Saturday’s trip to Manchester United. Both Fernandez and Dummett are struggling with hamstring injuries and boss Rafael Benitez has indicated the medical staff will give the duo until the last minute to prove their fitness.
The Spaniard has also confirmed he will be without striker Salomon Rondon as he continues to struggle with a thigh issue, while Jamie Sterry is unavailable due to a knock.
DeAndre Yedlin had been listed as a doubt for the game but he should be fit to feature, while Florian LeJeune is a long-term absentee.
Newcastle make the trip to Old Trafford searching for a first of the season but will be coming up against a United side who have made their worst ever start in the Premier League era.
Despite the Red Devils’ problems, Benitez has rejected the suggestion Jose Mourinho’s side are “fragile”.
“In all my time in England, I don’t remember any fragile Manchester United team. All of them have been really strong every year with good managers, good players, so I don’t see any fragile Manchester United team,” he said.
“I can see a team that everyone was expecting to be higher but it’s a question of time, like us.
“Who is at the top of the table in the Premier League? The three teams who spent more money than anyone. Who is at the bottom of the table? Teams that didn’t spend so much money. That is a normal situation.”
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