The Newcastle United players who haven’t travelled to Japan and why

3 months ago 37

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The Newcastle United players set off for Japan on Sunday.

Eddie Howe and a 29 man squad have two friendlies this week.

On Wednesday 31 July it is Urawa Red Diamonds v Newcastle United, this is a local 7.30pm kick-off and 11.30am in the UK.

Then Saturday 3 August it is Yokohama F Marinos v Newcastle United, which is a 7pm local time kick-off, 11am in the UK.

These are the 29 Newcastle United players who have flown to Japan:

Goalkeepers:

Pope, Ruddy, Dubravka, Vlachodimos, Gillespie

Defenders:

Ashby, Lewis, Livramento, Hall, Schar, Burn, Krafth, Kelly, Thompson, Heffernan

Midfield/Attack:

Tonali, Joelinton, Longstaff, Guimaraes, J.Miley, Barnes, J.Murphy, Almiron, Al.Harrison, Willock, Sanusi, Turner-Cooke, Parkinson, Isak

As you can see, Sandro Tonali is one of the 29 Newcastle United players who have gone to Japan but as well as not being able to play in competitive matches, the suspension means the midfielder can’t play in any of these public friendlies either.

A number of Newcastle United players haven’t travelled to Japan

Lewis Miley – Recovering from injury

Kieran Trippier – Allowed an extended break due to international involvement that didn’t end until 14 July

Jamaal Lascelles – Recovering from injury

Ross Fraser – Not part of Eddie Howe’s plans and expected to move this summer

Sven Botman – Recovering from injury

Anthony Gordon – Allowed an extended break due to international involvement that didn’t end until 14 July

Joe White – Recovering from injury

Isaac Hayden – Not part of Eddie Howe’s plans and expected to move this summer

Matt Targett – Recovering from injury

It can’t be helped with Gordon and Trippier, with England having reached the Euros final it always meant they would be allowed a bit of extra time compared to our other international players who exited the Euros and Copa America earlier. From what I have seen it is the same at other Premier League clubs who had players reach those finals.

When you take those two out of the equation, the list of those missing isn’t actually too bad.

Long-term injured Sven Botman is the only injured player who would make the first-choice Newcastle United eleven.

Then you have the likes of Lewis Miley, Lascelles and Targett who would be bench at best if everyone available.

Longstaff, Kelly and Willock all missed the trip to Hull as they stayed on Tyneside working on getting to full fitness, obviously it will be a step forward to see all three of them hopefully involved in one or both of these friendlies. Longstaff played in the behind closed doors friendly in Germany but Kelly is yet to turn out for Newcastle and Willock having been missing since late last season after an injury-hit campaign.

Schar and Almiron have returned from their extended international break and fingers crossed will be ready to be involved in these friendlies, the same situation with Dubravk, although it is generally accepted that he will be getting a transfer elsewhere this summer.

If these five outfield players (Longstaff, Kelly, Willock, Schar, Almiron) are back playing this week, it gives Eddie Howe far more options than he had at Hull, where all eight outfield subs after the break were reserve/under 21 players.

I know not ideal having a number of players already guaranteed to miss the start of the season, including the suspended Tonali, but add Trippier and Gordon as well to those above, then things start to look far better. I certainly can’t imagine Anthony Gordon needing much, if any, time to get match ready when he is back at the training ground, whilst after how Gareth Southgate went on in Germany this summer I am sure the winger will be very motivated to hit the ground running as soon as the season starts at Newcastle United in 19 days time.

Newcastle United schedule to end of September 2024:

Saturday 20 July 2024 – Newcastle 3 SpVgg Unterhaching 1

Saturday 27 July 2024 – Hull 0 Newcastle 2

Wednesday 31 July 2024 – Urawa Red Diamonds v Newcastle United friendly in Japan, playing at the 62,000 capacity Saitama Stadium, the largest football-specific stadium in Japan.

Saturday 3 August 2024 – Yokohama F Marinos v Newcastle United friendly at the National Stadium in Toyko.

Friday 9 August 2024 – Newcastle United v Girona FC friendly 7.30pm kick-off (SJP Sela weekend)

Saturday 10 August 2024 – Newcastle United v Stade Brestois 4pm kick-off (SJP Sela weekend)

Wednesday 14 August 2024 – The Carabao Cup second round draw will be made around 10pm.

Saturday 17 August 2024 – Newcastle v Southampton (3pm)

Sunday 25 August 2024 – Bournemouth v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Week commencing Monday 26 August 2024 – Carabao Cup round two matches will be played

Friday 30 August 2024 – Summer transfer window closes at 11pm.

Sunday 1 September 2024 – Newcastle v Tottenham (1.30pm) Sky Sports

(The first international break of the season)

Sunday 15 September 2024 – Wolves v Newcastle (4.30 pm) Sky Sports

Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)