Newcastle United’s injury problems have grown following the opening weekend of the Premier League season, with William Osula expected to spend multiple weeks on the sidelines after being hurt against Liverpool.
Osula started up front in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at St. James’ Park and produced an encouraging performance before eventually being replaced by Joe Willock in the 59th minute. Further assessment has now established the likely length of Osula’s absence.
The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope reported on Wednesday that Osula injured his foot when he collided with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson during the first half, although Newcastle has received some encouraging news from subsequent examinations.
“William Osula has avoided a broken foot but will face a spell on the sidelines,” Hope reported.
The 23-year-old initially attempted to continue on the pitch despite the problem and remained in the game until approximately 10 minutes after halftime before the pain eventually forced him off.
“We understand the striker suffered the injury when he collided with Liverpool goalkeeper Allison during the first half of Sunday’s 2-2 draw,” Hope reported. “Osula played on before succumbing to the pain 10 minutes after half-time.”
While Newcastle has avoided the worst-case scenario of a fracture or significant structural damage potentially leading to surgery and extended time on the sidelines, Hope reported that Osula is still expected to miss weeks rather than days.
“While there is no significant damage, it looks like being an absence that is measured in weeks rather than days, with the pain needing to settle before a return date is set,” Hope reported.
The timing presents Jaissle with another attacking headache entering the final days of the transfer window, having now lost one of his three first-team strikers. Hope expects Yoane Wissa to move back into the starting striker role during Osula’s absence rather than Nick Woltemade, who prefers the No. 10 role and whose Newcastle future remains uncertain amid potential interest from Germany.
Does Osula’s injury make signing another forward essential before the deadline, or does Newcastle already have enough attacking cover while he remains sidelined? Let us know what you think in the comments.
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