Newcastle United's Benton training ground has a strange feel to it this week, and it will surely feel that way next week too. The first international break of the football calendar has seen more than 20 players leave Tyneside for national team duties across the globe, from South Korea to Somalia. Instead of impressing Matthias Jaissle, Newcastle's stars are jetting around to catch the eye of their national team bosses.
For the German head coach, however, the work does not stop. Not only will he be keeping a close eye on his globe-trotting players, he will start planning for the Premier League tie against Coventry City on October 12 when the Magpies return to domestic duties. What would represent an ideal couple of weeks for Jaissle? We take a look at the dream scenario for the Toon boss.
Lewis Hall injury hope
Let's start off with the biggie. There is arguably no player more important to Newcastle right now than Lewis Hall. Not only is he bang in form, justifying his return to the England fold, but he is the only recognised left-back in the first team squad. Amar Dedic, Tino Livramento and Dan Burn can all operate there, but they have their injury and fitness issues to contend with.
That is why the news that Hall did not train yesterday with the Three Lions sent a shudder around United fans, and no doubt Jaissle too. It was described as a 'minor' niggle but Newcastle will be desperate to ensure Hall does not aggravate any problem. He has started every game for Newcastle this season and his load needs to be managed. Newcastle's medical team are in touch with St George's Park to check all is well. It would be great for Hall to play a couple of England's four Nations League matches after his World Cup snub, but more importantly is that he returns to Tyneside fit and well.
£75m duo get some minutes
Much has been made about Aladji Bamba and Bazoumana Toure's lack of game time this season. Jaissle feels the duo are yet to fully get up to speed with English football and also his tactical demands. This break is an opportunity for the pair to get some minutes in their legs. Bamba has only played 27 minutes in the league this season but can boost that on France U21 duty, while Toure, who has two goals to his name despite limited pitch time, is with Ivory Coast.
Clearing out the treatment room
Newcastle were missing NINE first-team players for their last game against Hull City. It was a depleted squad that ground out the three points, but with the elongated nature of this international break, three weeks as opposed to the usual two, it gives the medical team a chance to get a few players back for the Coventry clash. Skipper Dan Burn has already admitted he is close to a comeback, while Jaissle is hoping powerhouse vice captain Joelinton will also return. Then there are the likes of Jacob Ramsey, Amar Dedic and William Osula who are also nearing fitness.
Nico Gonzalez will be past the concussion protocols and goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen has gone away with France U21s, so the squad could have a very different look to it at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Goals for Yoane Wissa
While his turnaround as a Newcastle player has been eye-opening, there is still one element, a key element, missing from Yoane Wissa's start to the season: goals. The DR Congo star bagged a beauty against Spurs, but that has been scant reward for some great displays. He has led the line, played as a link man in the No 10 role, worked tirelessly and developed into a leader at the club, but he could do with another couple of goals, especially after that missed penalty against Hull. It would be great if he returned to Tyneside having boosted his confidence with a couple of Congo goals under his belt.
Head to head clash
One match to keep an eye out comes right at the end of the international fixtures when Republic of Ireland U21s and England U21s go head to head at Turners Cross, Cork, on Tuesday, October 6. It is a game that will be keenly watched by Magpies fans and staff. In the green corner will be Rory Finneran, the highly-rated youngster currently getting rave reviews on loan at Notts County; in the white corner, Lewis Miley, the poster child for Newcastle's Academy. The two could face off in the centre of midfield. Miley is an accomplished Premier League performer tipped for full international honours, which Finneran has already beaten him to, having been capped by Ireland in the summer. For Finneran and the United coaching team in particular, it will be a chance to see how much he has developed during his loan spell.
