Steve Bruce could unleash Javier Manquillo for the first time this summer in Newcastle United’s final pre-season friendly with Norwich on Saturday, according to Chronicle Live.
The Magpies host the Canaries at St James’ Park for one last test on the eve of the new campaign. Newcastle have enjoyed a solid summer programme so far with victories over Doncaster and Burton. But the Toon lost at Burnley on Tuesday and were beaten by York.
Norwich, meanwhile, thrashed Gillingham 5-0 on Tuesday and kept clean sheets against Huddersfield and Lincoln City. The Canaries will hope for a fourth consecutive shutout on Tyneside ahead of their Premier League return against Liverpool.
Manquillo has played no part in Newcastle’s pre-season so far, having struggled with an ankle injury since April. The problem forced the £35,000-per-week Spaniard to miss the final two games of the campaign and all friendlies this summer.
In that time, Jacob Murphy has continued to hold down and thrive at full-back under Bruce. The Toon boss may now give Manquillo the chance to get some much-needed minutes under his belt against Norwich.
Bruce is considering unleashing Manquillo having returned to contention in time for the Canaries clash. The 27-year-old was never anything more than a rotational piece in the United squad last term. His longest run in the league side consisted of four-straight games.
Bruce needs Manquillo back to his previous Newcastle best
Bruce will hope next season sees Manquillo rediscover the form he displayed for Newcastle two years ago. The Toon boss could not speak any higher of the Spaniard in late 2019 after a strong start under his tenure.
“I thought he was our best player against arguably as good a wide player as there is in Europe in [Wilfried] Zaha,” Bruce said, via Chronicle Live. “How can I leave him out of the team? He’s performed fantastically and he was terrific, so well done him.”
Manquillo will likely need to be at that level again if he is to regain his place from Murphy. The former Norwich talent, signed for £12m in 2017, was one of the stars of Newcastle’s survival efforts last term and his performances have only continued this pre-season.
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