Two key players missing as Newcastle provide training update from Benton

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Newcastle United are sweating on the fitness of two key players as the new Premier League season edges closer and closer.

It is now less than a fortnight until Eddie Howe‘s side start the new season at home to Aston Villa, with Newcastle welcoming two new players into their squad ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.

Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes have strengthened the Newcastle squad, but Howe is currently without two of his heroes from last season as the players continue to prepare for the big kick off next week.

Before the Premier League begins, Newcastle are in Sela Cup action. They face Fiorentina and Villarreal at St James’ Park, and are now back training on Tyneside after the trip to America.

The club have released a selection of photos from the team’s return to Benton, with Sean Longstaff back on the grass ahead of this weekend’s friendlies.

However, two other players are conspicuous by their abscene.

No Fabian Schar or Joe Willock in Newcastle training

Out of the 27 photos that Newcastle uploaded to their official website, Fabian Schar and Joe Willock cannot be seen any of them.

The former is currently struggling with a hamstring problem, after limping off during the first half of the 1-1 draw with Chelsea. That gave youngster Alex Murphy an opportunity, and he played very well out in Atlanta.

As for Willock, he has not featured at all during pre-season so far, having suffered a hamstring injury of his own at the backend of last season.

That forced him to miss Newcastle’s final two games, while he has not been fit enough to play a single minute during our pre-season friendlies.

Now he is in a race against time to be involved at the weekend. It looks increasingly unlikely that he will get to feature before competitive football resumes.

That is a blow for Willock, who is not a guaranteed starter at St James’ Park following the arrival of Sandro Tonali. He has also had to watch on as Elliot Anderson shines in pre-season, while Lewis Miley has also been very impressive.