Newcastle United could miss both Martin Dubravka and Elliot Anderson for the start of the Premier League campaign as Steve Bruce sweats on fitness of No 1 goalkeeper following foot injury… as Magpies boss is given £10m budget for summer window
- Newcastle could miss Martin Dubravka and Elliot Anderson for start of season
- The No 1 goalkeeper has a foot injury and the midfielder has a hip concern
- Freddie Woodman’s loan to Bournemouth has been put on hold as a result
- Steve Bruce has been afforded a £10m budget for this summer’s window
Newcastle could be without goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and midfielder Elliot Anderson for the start of the new Premier League season because of injury.
Several players have also been forced to self-isolate this week as Steve Bruce and his squad continue preparations at their York training camp.
But it is Dubravka’s foot injury that will be of greatest concern to the boss, while Anderson has a longstanding hip complaint and has been told to rest for another four weeks.
Newcastle United could miss two stars for the start of the new Premier League campaign
Dubravka’s problem has seen Freddie Woodman’s proposed loan move to Bournemouth put on hold, and Bruce is awaiting news on the severity of the Slovakian’s issue.
Meanwhile, we understand Newcastle’s recruitment team have been told they have a budget of £10million this summer, likely to be spent on one player plus at least two loan deals.
It is said they want a left-sided centre-back and two midfielders, and there is talk of Bruce starting the season with a three-man defence as his preferred formation.
Elliot Anderson (L) and Martin Dubravka (R) both face fitness concerns this pre-season
The Magpies recruitment have a £10million budget for summer transfer targets this window
A deal to bring former loanee Joe Willock back to St James’ Park from Arsenal remains the priority.
Coach Ben Dawson has now also been added permanently to Bruce’s first-team staff, alongside Graeme Jones, Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence. Dawson had stepped up temporarily last season amid the clubs Covid-19 outbreak.
New academy director Steve Harper, meanwhile, has overseen a restructuring of the coaching set-up.
Former Newcastle favourite Peter Ramage will take charge of the Under-18s, while ex Aston Villa and Everton midfielder Kevin Richardson will assist Chris Hogg with the Under-23s. Neil Winskill will replace Dawson as the academy’s head of coaching.
Harper is said to have made a positive impact at the academy since replacing Joe Joyce earlier this year.