Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle is hopeful key attackers Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey can return for Saturday's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace. The potential boost comes as the 11th-placed Magpies, with eight points from seven games, look to arrest a run of two straight defeats. Their overall record this season stands at two wins and three draws from those seven matches, having scored 10 goals but conceded 14.
Elanga, who has missed the last four league matches with a hamstring issue, is back in the squad. Ramsey has also returned to training this week after a thigh injury sustained in a warm-up before the Leeds United game last month. Jaissle confirmed both players are progressing but indicated Ramsey's workload would be managed carefully.
The news is a welcome lift for a squad dealing with several longer-term issues. Defender Tino Livramento remains out with a knee problem that forced him to withdraw from the World Cup squad, while young goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen is expected to miss several months with a hamstring injury. Quinten Timber is also ruled out with a thigh complaint.
Newcastle's recent form has been poor, with back-to-back losses to Aston Villa and Coventry City leaving them 13 points adrift of leaders Manchester City. Their recent run reads one win and three losses from the last four games, most recently a 1-0 home defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday 17 October. Prior to that, they suffered a heavy 4-1 loss at Coventry, where Sven Botman scored their solitary goal.
Crystal Palace, who sit 14th, have their own injury concerns but could welcome back goalkeeper Dean Henderson. The Eagles won the last meeting between the sides 2-1 in April. Jaissle's side will be aiming to start a climb from mid-table, with the manager's immediate focus on integrating his returning stars effectively for the 25 October clash.
The original report is at newcastleunited.com
