Newcastle United injury blow for Leeds United as big-money summer signing confirmed out
Leeds United's midweek hosts will be without a key summer signing for their Premier League clash at St James' Park.
Newcastle United will be without winger Anthony Elanga for their midweek meeting with Leeds United, manager Eddie Howe has confirmed.
Leeds head to St James’ Park on Wednesday evening hoping to make it eight unbeaten in the league. The Whites drew 1-1 at home to Manchester United last time out, with Matheus Cunha cancelling out Brenden Aaronson’s opener in a game that rarely sparked into life.
That point lifted Leeds further away from relegation trouble but they face another stern test on Wednesday, with Newcastle unbeaten in 11 home games. The Magpies have also won two on the spin in the Premier League, both of which came without Elanga.
The £55million summer signing has struggled to get going at his new club, registering just one assist and zero goals in 17 Premier League appearances. He has missed three games with a knock and is expected to sit out a fourth when Leeds arrive at St James’ Park.
“Anthony Elanga is not quite there yet,” Howe confirmed on Tuesday morning. “We keep thinking the next game but it’s taking longer in the final stages. He won’t be long but not this one.”
Elanga’s absence has left Newcastle short in depth in wide areas recently and that became more of a concern during the second-half of Sunday’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. Jacob Murphy was seen holding his hamstring in some discomfort before being replaced by Joe Willock, making him a doubt for Leeds.
Howe wasn’t able to provide much clarity on the 30-year-old immediately after full-time but he’s had a scan since. And while the Newcastle boss stopped short of confirming anything, he suggested Murphy will be in the midweek matchday squad.
“He’s had a scan,” Howe said of his winger. “It’s good news. No major injury. It was probably fatigue. His physical numbers in the game were outstanding.
“I think he will be available [against Leeds] at the moment. It will be a late decision for us. Fingers crossed.”
Leeds United and Newcastle team news ahead of Premier League clash
Should Murphy be deemed fit to feature on Wednesday, Leeds’ hosts will be without four players. Big-money summer signing Elanga is expected to be joined on the sidelines by Dan Burn (rib), Will Osula (ankle) and Emil Krafth (knee), while Kieran Tripper, Sven Botman and Tino Livramento all returned to the squad against Palace.
Leeds will head to St James’ Park without Dan James who remains out for the foreseeable future with a hamstring tendon injury, while Farke revealed on Monday that one of Jayden Bogle (calf) or Joe Rodon (ankle ligament) could make the squad. Sean Longstaff could be involved against his former club after returning to the bench against Manchester United but he is not expected to start.
Club captain Ethan Ampadu missed Sunday’s 1-1 draw entirely due to suspension but will likely come straight back into the startling line-up on Wednesday. Leeds will know the impact of a point or three on their survival bid before kick-off at Newcastle, with rivals West Ham and Nottingham Forest facing one another this evening.