Eddie Howe, the manager of Newcastle United, claims that his team has taken advantage of the international break as they get ready for their crucial match against Manchester United on Sunday at St. James' Park.
In their quest to exact revenge for losing to Erik ten Hag's team in the Carabao Cup final, the north-east side knows that a win would put them above the Reds in the table. Their squad also appears to be in excellent shape.
Joelinton returns from suspension, and Nick Pope and Sven Botman have left the England and Netherlands squads, respectively, but they have trained and should be ready.
Miguel Almiron will certainly miss this game, leaving Anthony Gordon as the only question since he was cup-tied for the Wembley loss.
During the international break, the Magpies relocated to Dubai for a training camp in the warm climate.
"The break was good," Newcastle United's manager Eddie Howe stated during his press conference ahead of the Mapgies Sunday clash with the Red Devils in the Premier League.
"It's been good for some players, it gave us an opportunity to rest a couple that were carrying injuries. Fabian Schar [who was excused a Switzerland call-up] is a prime example of someone who played through pain so the break came at a good time for him."
"Nick [Pope] felt a problem in his thigh after the Wolves game and didn't train in preparation for the Nottingham Forest game but completed that game with a bit of discomfort. He didn't train in Dubai but has done this week so the signs are good," he explained.
"Sven [Botman] suffered a nasty bout of food poisoning. I don't think he was alone in the Netherlands camp, so he left early to get himself back up to speed. He's trained with us since he's returned, so he should be fine."
Almiron has been excluded because it is doubtful that he will return earlier than expected, but winger Gordon is working hard to be fit in time.
"I don't know if he [Gordon] will be available on Sunday," admitted Howe. "He took part in a very small part of training on Wednesday, so we'll see how he's responded to that today."
"I'd love him [Almiron] to beat the timescale given but I don't see it currently. He's making good progress and he's pain-free so I don't think there are any-long term issues but it's just the time it takes for the muscle to heal. I think we're four weeks off, maybe slightly less, but he's making really good progress."
The Magpies manager also stated that despite their own injury niggles, forwards Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin have trained without any issues on Tyneside, calling that "very positive."
Alexander Isak, a player who did travel for international service, should be fine and could pose a threat because the Sweden striker has been on fire recently.
"We haven't seen him yet," added Howe. "So I'll see him for the first time today but I'm not aware of any problems. He's got himself into a really good place and he's getting fitter with every game. His ability has never been in question."
Manchester United haven't been so great at away games this season and would find it tough against Newcastle United at St James Park, the Mapgies boasts of one o the best defence in Europe top five league, however, stats shows that the Red Devils have won 7 times, drawn 4 times and lost thrice in their last 14 visits to St James Park (m.aiscore.com)
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