Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce spoke to the media ahead of his side’s clash against Aston Villa on Wednesday.
The Magpies couldn’t have asked for a better result in their first game back. Newcastle swept aside high-flying Sheffield United 3-0 and confidence is certain to be sky high ahead of tomorrow’s clash.
It is unlikely that Bruce will make any changes for the game tomorrow. The Magpies looked solid for most parts of the game and the three goals mean that there is no real need for any changes.
Bruce spoke about his side’s fitness issues ahead of the game against Villa. The Magpies will be without four of their players which is a shame considering that all of them could have made a difference to the side.
He said as per The Chronicle: “Matty Longstaff trained yesterday but Sean Longstaff still has a niggle. Florian Lejeune back on grass but Ciaran Clark a bit sore after ankle operation.”
The Longstaff brothers are fan favourites and almost all of the supporters would have loved to see them back in action against Villa on Wednesday.
Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernandez were both very solid against the Blades and if they can continue the same kind of form, the Magpies won’t miss Clark and Lejeune as much.
However, with games coming in thick and fast over the next few weeks, Bruce would want everyone fit and raring to go to push Newcastle as high in the table as possible.
It is safe to say now that Newcastle aren’t at the risk of relegation anymore. The Magpies are 11 points clear of 18th placed Bournemouth and just four points behind eighth placed Tottenham Hotspur.
A good run from now till the end of the season will give Newcastle every chance to finish in the top half of the league table and if they are lucky, maybe even in the top eight.
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