‘Outstanding’ Newcastle player set to start in first game back after the international break vs West Ham

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Newcastle United have gone into the international break on a wave of good form on the pitch, with Sunday’s come-from-behind win at Nottingham Forest their third win in a row as the Magpies sit just one point off third place.

Like all of his Premier League counterparts, Eddie Howe will be crossing his fingers that all of the Newcastle players called up for international action this month will come home injury-free, but one player who got the nod from his country but was unable to meet up was Emil Krafth.

The Swedish defender missed the 3-1 win at the City Ground through injury, with The Athletic reporting that the 30-year-old suffered a broken collarbone in training. The Swedish FA confirmed on Sunday evening that Krafth had pulled out of their international squad.

The nature of the injury means that Krafth will be sidelined for some time and his absence throws up something of a defensive headache for Howe when he returns back from the international break.

Newcastle’s defensive options for West Ham limited

Newcastle return from the international break on Monday, November 25 with a St James’ Park clash against West Ham and news of Krafth’s injury comes after Dan Burn picked up a fifth yellow card of the season against Forest, which means he will have to serve a one-match suspension against the Hammers.

Although Sven Botman is making progress on his return from his ACL injury, Howe said last week it would be a ‘bonus’ if he returns before the New Year, while Jamaal Lascelles is also continuing to recover from an ACL injury of his own.

The Magpies are therefore stretched at the back and may have to turn to a summer signing who has had something of a bit-part role so far this term to fill in.

Player Howe has dubbed ‘outstanding’ set to feature

According to The Athletic’s report, Lloyd Kelly is set to deputise at left centre-back against West Ham, where he will likely slot in along Fabian Schar.

Kelly joined Newcastle from Bournemouth on a free transfer this summer, a move which saw the defender link up again with his former Cherries boss Howe at St James’ Park.

Howe had overseen Kelly’s rise to the Bournemouth first-team and was impressed by the former England U21 international’s progress at an early again.

“I think one of the great things about Lloyd when I first met him – I was blown away by how mature he was,” Howe told the Bournemouth Echo in 2020. “How much mental capacity he had to want to improve and learn and to become the very best player that he can be.

“He is an outstanding player, got great potential.”

After the home clash against West Ham, Newcastle travel to Crystal Palace the following weekend before welcoming Liverpool to St James’ Park on December 4.