Steve Bruce provides update on depleted Newcastle United squad ahead of Leeds United clash

Newcastle's training ground was closed a week last Monday after multiple positive test results for coronavirus within the first-team bubble.

Those who tested positive were then required to follow the relevant protocols before returning and Newcastle's clash at Aston Villa last Friday night was postponed with the club unable to train as a group.

Newcastle's players then returned to the club's Darsley Park base on Tuesday and Saturday's hosting of West Brom went ahead with a depleted Magpies side recording a 2-1 victory.

Federico Fernandez, Mark Gillespie, Jamaal Lascelles, Javier Manquillo and Fabian Schar were among those missing and whilst the reasons for their absences were not confirmed Bruce is now hoping he will have more players returning for Wednesday's clash at Elland Road.

"We’re hoping that we get a couple of negative results – and a couple of more players," said Bruce, as quoted by Chronicle Live.

"We’ll see. We’ve still got far too many at this particular moment.

"The last two (tests), we’ve been negative, so let’s hope we’ve caught it, and got rid of it, but, as I keep saying, the decision to shut us down when it was ripping through us was key to us playing today."

Bruce said "two or three" players who had previously tested positive for coronavirus featured against West Brom including midfielder Isaac Hayden who opened up about just how unwell he had been in the aftermath of Saturday's victory.

"I was in bed for ten days and didn't do anything," said Hayden.

"I had it quite bad so to have two or three days training and then play a game like this of this Premier League quality wasn't easy but the lads came through it and stuck to the task and came through with the three points which is the most important."

Speaking to nufc.co.uk after Saturday's win, Bruce said: "The way in which we acted, shutting the training ground, we didn't see each other for ten days.

"It was difficult for me to manage. But fair credit to the players, the ones who haven't had the virus stuck to their individual programme.

"If you asked me last Monday whether the game would go ahead I would say I really doubt it, there was too many.

"Two or three have played today, Isaac in particular who won't mind being mentioned I thought was immense.

"But he was poorly for a good week or so, so fair play to them all.

"Three of them were out there who have recovered from the virus but I don't think you recover fully so I couldn't be more pleased in a difficult week. Fair play to them, they were terrific."

Bruce added: "For people who don't take it too seriously, the way it ripped through us, the way Isaac was and a couple of the staff are and a couple of the players, they are young, fit, professional athletes.

"It's a beast of an illness as we all know but when it hits you like it did and people around you are dropping like nine pins, it has been a difficult ten days and two weeks.

"We have got a tough schedule ahead and we could do with a fully fit squad.

"We are a bit depleted but we will go into Wednesday and see what we can do."

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/pablo-hernandez-excels-comeback-first-team-quartet-help-leeds-united-under-23s-move-top-3066407

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins