International Break Comes At The Right Time for Jaissle’s Injury Hit Squad

For Newcastle United, the timing of the upcoming international break could hardly be more welcome.

Matthias Jaissle’s side headed into Saturday’s clash with Hull City carrying a growing injury list, with the German coach increasingly forced to work with a squad that has been stretched far earlier than anyone would have wanted this season. After securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Hull at St James’ Park, the three-week pause now gives Newcastle something they desperately need: time. 

The scale of the problem was clear before kick-off against Hull. Anthony Elanga, Amar Dedić, Jacob Ramsey and Nico González were among those unavailable, while Dan Burn, Joelinton and Will Osula were already absent. Tino Livramento then became another concern after experiencing muscular discomfort and being sent for a scan. 

That left Jaissle naming four teenagers on the bench against Hull, underlining just how difficult the situation has become.

Yet, remarkably, Newcastle still found a way to win.

Joe Willock and Lewis Hall gave the Magpies a two-goal advantage inside the opening seven minutes, before Hull fought their way back into the contest. Newcastle ultimately had to defend for long periods during the second half, with the visitors applying significant pressure.

The performance was far from perfect, but the result could prove extremely valuable.

And that is where the international break comes in.

Rather than immediately having to prepare for another Premier League fixture a few days later, Jaissle now has a window in which his medical and performance teams can work with the injured players. It also gives those who have been carrying knocks or dealing with fatigue an opportunity to recover.

That could be particularly important for players such as Elanga.

The Sweden international has made an impressive start under Jaissle, scoring twice in his opening three Premier League starts before his injury interrupted that momentum. Jaissle previously admitted that the situation did not look particularly positive and that further assessment was required. 

There is, of course, no guarantee that everyone will return immediately after the break. Jaissle has already indicated that Joelinton and Osula cannot necessarily be guaranteed to return by then, while Livramento’s scan will determine the extent of his latest problem. 

But even if Newcastle don’t receive a clean bill of health across the board, the break provides valuable breathing space.

It also gives Jaissle an opportunity to reflect on what has been an eventful opening period of his Newcastle reign.

The defeat at Leeds exposed plenty of weaknesses, particularly defensively, but the response against Hull demonstrated character. With so many senior players missing, Newcastle were forced to rely on youngsters and players being asked to operate in unfamiliar roles.

That experience could ultimately prove beneficial.

The challenge for Jaissle now is to ensure the break is used intelligently. Newcastle need players back, but they also need to use the additional preparation time to improve their defensive organisation, build greater consistency and continue developing the aggressive, vertical style the German coach wants his team to play.

The international break therefore arrives at a potentially crucial moment.

For once, Newcastle supporters won’t necessarily be desperate to see their team back in action immediately.

After a bruising opening period, Jaissle and his injury-hit squad could probably do with the pause just as much as anyone.