Newcastle’s injury problems have extended to their backroom staff, with goalkeeping coach Shwan Jalal suffering serious damage to his knee during the club’s recent trip to Dubai, Notebook can reveal.
Such is the current misfortune to have hit the Magpies, the 40-year-old was injured in the final 15 minutes of the last session before the squad returned home to Tyneside.
Jalal will be out of action until pre-season and has his leg in a protective brace. Care of the keepers will be left with Adam Bartlett, and Eddie Howe is lucky in that he operates with two very capable goalie coaches.