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Rafa Benitez injury update for Cardiff – Two definitely out, Five positive updates and One waited on

5 years ago
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Rafa Benitez has met the media on Friday afternoon.

The Newcastle boss speaking to reporters ahead of facing Cardiff City.

Rafa Benitez talking about the opposition and what his team need to do to ensure survival this season.

The manager updating on numerous players who had injury doubts hanging over them…

Rafa saying the bad news is that Paul Dummett and Jonjo Shelvey are definitely out.

However, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Isaac Hayden should all be ok after shaking off minor problems/knocks.

Also, Kenedy was missing on Tuesday night because of a minor toenail problem which had meant he couldn’t even get his boot on. The Brazilian though is now back training, so clearly that is no longer an issue that would prevent him being involved against Cardiff.

The one that could go either was is Mohamed Diame, he has returned to full first team training on Friday and Rafa Benitez says they will now see how he is after that session, before seeing whether he can be involved on Saturday.

Rafa Benitez:

“We have to assess players because we have a lot of knocks but I am optimistic.

“We have the same problems we had but I am quite optimistic with (Ciaran) Clark, (Isaac) Hayden, (Jamaal) Lascelles, (Mohamed) Diame and (Fabian) Schar that they will be available.

“Shelvey and Dummett are still unavailable but Mo Diame was training today and we have to assess him.”

Potential:

“Sean Longstaff has the potential.

“He went on loan, came back and did well.

“We had a lot of teams asking about him for this January transfer window.

“He is a good player, a good professional, and he is working really hard.”

Cardiff:

Cardiff will have a game plan that will try to stop us playing.

“We need the fans to stay behind the team, even if we are not doing well.

“The fans pushing us and staying with the players if we want to stay up.

“If we are doing well, we can enjoy it like the other night.”

Staying up?:

“My analysis is very simple.

“We must play at home against Burnley, Crystal Palace and Huddersfield after this (Cardiff). Teams that maybe we can beat at home.

“This one is a big game, we want to win…it is not rocket science.

“We have to keep going if we win, or even if we don’t.”

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