Newcastle have had a nightmare start to the season for injuries, with them having had numerous players sidelined, which saw them way out on top of the treatment room league table at one point.
Currently having eight players either out, or questionable, for Saturday’s game with Brighton, they still top that table, but it is a position they share with Bournemouth and Norwich.
But Steve Bruce could be set for a boost ahead of the weekend, with the Physio Room website suggesting both Andy Carroll and Allan Saint-Maximin have a chance of being available for selection.
They rate Carroll with a 25 per cent chance of being considered, and with Bruce confirming to the Chronicle this week that they have received positive news from the specialist over the striker, it seems the local hero could be in line for a place on the bench this weekend.
Saint-Maximin is rated as having a 50-50 chance, and his availability would give a huge lift to both Bruce and the fans.
Although it would be a surprise if the French winger was named in the squad, with a cautious approach likely to be preferred after he previously aggravated his thigh injury by coming back too soon, Bruce may be tempted into including him as a substitute.
It would be a popular move with supporters who are eager to see their summer signing in action, particularly with his ability to provide a bit of the unknown to the side.
The injury clouds may be slowly lifting over St James’Park
In a game we will be expecting to win, it would be nice to have them both on the bench on Saturday, with Newcastle getting into a winning position, giving Bruce the luxury of giving them both a cameo role for the final five or ten minutes.
Bruce is also hopeful that Fabian Schar’s injury sustained at Liverpool is not as bad as it appeared, meaning he has a decent chance of being available for the Brighton game.
And with the remarkable recovery efforts of Matt Ritchie, along with the imminent return of right-back DeAndre Yedlin, things may finally be looking up for the Magpies and their physio team.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
