Shay Given has stated that two Newcastle United players could return to the starting lineup against AC Milan on Wednesday as their injury record improves.
After missing the previous three weeks due to injury, both Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff came off the bench in Newcastle’s loss to Tottenham.
Given said on Match of the Day 2 that the Newcastle duo could be given a start against Milan because the rest of the team appears fatigued.
Given says changes have to be made ahead of the Milan game
Wednesday night’s match against Milan is undoubtedly the most important encounter for Newcastle in terms of what it implies financially and commercially for the club in the future.
The Magpies still have a chance to get to the knockout stages of the Champions League with a win and if PSG fail to beat Borussia Dortmund on the same night.
At the very least, Eddie Howe’s side must qualify for the Europa League, which will still be lucrative enough for the club to spend in January.
Given has been monitoring the recent Newcastle games and believes that changes must be made for Milan to avoid repeating their performances against Tottenham and Everton.
“The same 10 players are starting every single game, it’s very difficult,” Given stated on Match of the Day 2. Longstaff and Wilson came off the bench, which is obviously a bonus, but when you’re in the double digits for injured guys and crucial players who’d be starting, they’re really missing them.
“The Champions League has had its toll playing in midweek, Premier League in midweek and traveling around so you really feel for Eddie Howe but hopefully there’s a few more players back for Milan.
“As I say there’s a few plusses with Longstaff and Wilson back and they’ll play on Wednesday perhaps.”
Newcastle are tired and struggling to continue
The entire team looked shattered against both Everton and Tottenham, which is causing problems for guys who we know to be world-class.
Kieran Trippier, for example, is one of the team’s most dependable players; you seldom see the England international put in a poor performance, but he’s made some important errors in each of these games that have resulted in goals.
Trippier will face criticism because of his error, but the entire squad needs a break and time to regroup, but the games keep coming thick and fast.
Some reinforcements are obviously welcome news for Howe, but he would still prefer to have more players available, which does not appear to be happening until the new year at the earliest.
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