Emil Krafth has made his long-awaited return to action after suffering an ACL injury at Newcastle United.
The Swedish right-back played the opening 45-minutes of Newcastle Under-21s’ 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest Under-21s at Whitley Park on Friday. It was Krafth’s first appearance since suffering a serious ACL injury at Tranmere Rovers in Augu
And he was supported by team-mates including Sven Botman, Sean Longstaff, Matt Ritchie and Alexander Isak, who were in attendance for the Under-21s match.
Reflecting on his return, Krafth said: “I feel really good. So happy to be back playing football again. It’s been a long time with a few set-backs as well but it’s very good to be back and playing my first 45-minutes.”
Krafth also recently took part in an intra-squad practice match with the Newcastle first-team players at the training ground as he plans to step up his match fitness.
“That was the plan [to play 45-minutes],” Krafth added. “I played with the lads 30 minutes before so this was my second game and my next game will be around 75 [minutes], so I build myself up.
“Physically I feel, really, really good. Maybe because I’ve been running a lot lately but I’m feeling good and ready to go for the next game.”
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Injury worries and a midfield battle – This is the Newcastle United XI Eddie Howe should use vs PSG
Newcastle United’s first Champions League home game for two decades is fast approaching and the injuries have started to stack up at the worst possible time for Eddie Howe. A hectic start to the campaign has wreaked havoc with the fitness of Newcastle’s key men, with another ailment picked up in the weekend win over Burnley.
Joelinton has joined Callum Wilson, Sven Botman, Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock on the treatment table ahead of PSG this week after limping out of the 2-0 victory just three minutes after being introduced from the bench. The severity of his hamstring issue is yet to be determined but the aforementioned team-mates are all set to miss the European clash.
With so many absentees, Howe’s starting XI against the French champions all but picks itself. The back five should, in theory, be easy enough to predict. Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and Dan Burn are expected to get the nod – and rightly so.
There may be outside, minor clamour for Lewis Hall to be deployed at left-back, or Paul Dummett to get the chance to build on his Manchester City showing but it would be a total surprise to see Howe divert from the defenders used against Burnley over the weekend.
In midfield, Howe has more options at his disposal. However, Joelinton’s fitness will be key to deciding which three outlets are chosen in the middle of the park.
Should the Brazilian be forced out through injury, as expected, the only real debate concerns whether Elliot Anderson or Sandro Tonali takes his place. Anderson got the nod on Saturday and impressed, yet again, before his surprise second-half withdrawal.
The youngster is finally receiving the first-team minutes he deserves after plugging away behind the scenes and has grabbed the opportunities with both hands so far this term. Composed & confident on the ball and full of running, there’s an argument to make that the 20-year-old was one of Newcastle’s best last weekend.
“He’s got a real creative eye and can see a pass, got very good body swerve to beat people one on one. I’m really pleased with his progress and how he’s adapting to life in the team,” Howe said of the academy graduate last week.
Tonali’s time on Tyneside hasn’t gone quite as smoothly so far. Despite a barnstorming Premier League debut, in which he found the net against Aston Villa, the Italian has struggled for consistency as he finds his feet in England’s top flight.
If it is in fact a straight shootout between Anderson and Tonali for PSG, the former should be handed the opportunity to continue his fine form, despite his relative inexperience. Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff should also make the starting XI.
Again, like the defence, the attack should be a pretty straightforward call. Barnes’ absence should see Anthony Gordon, Newcastle’s in-form man, start. Meanwhile, Wilson’s hamstring issue will hand Alexander Isak his second consecutive Champions League start.
Miguel Almiron is back among the goals after his stunner against Burnley and will be able to offer the defensive work needed to help Trippier deal with Kylian Mbappe down PSG’s left flank. However, Howe sprung the biggest of surprises at the San Siro last month, throwing Jacob Murphy in for his first start of the season against all odds.
Could we see a repeat of that bold tactic come Wednesday? For me, Almiron should be handed the chance to build on his fine showing against the Clarets.
