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Steve Bruce pre-Norwich press conference – Reveals could be missing 6 of Newcastle United first team squad

5 years ago
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Steve Bruce has taken his pre-Norwich press conference.

The NUFC head coach meeting journalists early Friday morning before training.

A key game on Saturday, not a relegation six pointer quite yet but with away games at Spurs and Liverpool amongst the following three matches, it is pretty massive in terms of some early momentum and confidence.

Steve Bruce has given a fitness/injury update ahead of the game.

The good news is that Jonjo Shelvey has recovered from his knock and is up for selection, with Bruce saying Krafth is also set to be considered.

However, he states that Andy Carroll is still at least four or five weeks away from being available, so even Liverpool away in mid-September could be too early.

Steve Bruce could be set to be without as many as six of his 22 man outfield players in the senior Premier League squad.

He has revealed that Allan Saint-Maximin has a hamstring problem and his involvement depends on how he gets on in training on Friday morning. However, if there is even any remote concern surely ASM won’t be risked.

With Carroll out and ASM potentially as well, it could mean only 16 senior outfield players available for the 10 places tomorrow, as Yedlin, Lejeune, Atsu and Gayle aren’t available either.

Steve Bruce also admitted that he did put Jetro Willems on in midfield on Sunday and then moved him to wing-back, the head coach having originally claimed it was a misunderstanding and player had gone into the wrong position.

Steve Bruce pre-Norwich press conference:

The Arsenal match:

“For an hour we went toe to toe with them, but the longer it went on, we didn’t get to the levels we were at in the first half in terms of intensity.

“We’ve had another week behind us and hopefully we can see an improved performance tomorrow.”

Facing Norwich:

“It’s never going to be easy.

“I think only Manchester City scored more goals than them last year.

“Their philosophy is ‘we’ll score more than you’, if you like. Like any promoted team, everybody’s going to be excited.

“We’re going to have to defend well. When they play that certain way, can we go and exploit them at the other end of the pitch?

“We have to have that belief we can go there and get a result.”

Injuries/fitness:

“Jonjo Shelvey is going to be OK.

“A slight doubt for Allan Saint-Maximin a slight hamstring (problem) and we will see how he does today.

“Krafth is fit though.

“Andy Carroll has done a bit of running on the grass.

“He’s still four or five weeks away but I’m sure he’s going to have a big part to play.”

On the farce/chaos when Jetro Willems came on against Arsenal:

I put Jetro on in midfield (in place of Jonjo Shelvvey) where he played for (Eintracht) Frankfurt.

“Then I thought it was unfair and then I switched him quickly.

“We made a mistake.”

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