Newcastle United face Manchester United on Sunday.
Newcastle United striker Joselu was left out of Rafa Benitez’s 18-man squad that drew 1-1 against Crystal Palace on Sunday, but will he be axed for a second successive match despite recovering from the illness?
The 27-year-old striker has been in dismal form this season; his last appearance summing up his time on Tyneside as he missed a penalty and a golden chance in the second half against Burnley in a match that finished 1-1 at St. James’ Park.
Costing the Toon £5million from Stoke City in the summer, the Spanish striker has scored just four goals in 24 league and cup appearances for Newcastle this season.
He has had to fight with Dwight Gayle for a place in Benitez’s starting line-up, but January signing Islam Slimani could now keep Joselu out of the Premier League squad for Sunday’s clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Algeria international Slimani, 29, is expected to recover from a muscle injury in time for the match against Jose Mourinho’s side, with Dwight Gayle likely to be considered above Joselu in the pecking order after the latter’s display against Burnley.
That should see former Crystal Palace striker Gayle drop to the bench to make way for target man Slimani, meaning 6ft 3in striker Joselu should be left out of the squad entirely.
Benitez plays with one striker at Newcastle, and that means there is little need for two centre-forwards on the bench. German-born Spain Under-21 international Joselu will surely be the one that makes way, then.
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