Loan duo Bentaleb and Lazaro could make debuts for injury-hit Newcastle

Posted Friday, January 24, 2020 by PA

Newcastle could hand debuts to loan signings Nabil Bentaleb and Valentino Lazaro in Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Oxford.

Schalke midfielder Bentaleb, who completed his move to St James’ Park earlier this week, and Inter Milan winger Lazaro, who was undergoing a medical on Tyneside on Friday morning, are both expected to be involved.

However, defenders Emil Krafth (ankle ligaments) and Florian Lejeune (groin) are out after being injured in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Everton. Paul Dummett has undergone surgery on his hamstring and will not play again this season.

Striker Allan Saint-Maximin is available after being rested for the trip to Goodison Park, but defenders Javier Manquillo (hamstring), DeAndre Yedlin (knee) and Jetro Willems (knee ligaments), midfielder Ki Sung-yueng (knock) and frontmen Andy Carroll (hip) Dwight Gayle (hamstring) and Yoshinori Muto are all missing.

Oxford are set to be without a number of players for their trip to St James’ Park.

Midfielder Cameron Brannagan (knee) continues to be sidelined while the cup tie will come too soon for winger Anthony Forde (ribs).

On-loan Liverpool youngster Ben Woodburn misses out with a foot injury. Forward James Henry (thigh) is expected to be absent until February.

Matty Taylor and Malachi Napa are also unavailable for the League One side because of injury but George Thorne is fit and could be involved after joining on a permanent deal from Derby this week.