Newcastle are confident that their weekend battle with Semi Ajayi’s West Brom will still go ahead after their clash with Aston Villa was called off last week due to COVID-19 complications within the squad as Steve Bruce and his boys return to their training base.
The club’s Benton headquarters has been closed since an outbreak of Covid-19 forced them to cancel training 10 days ago.
There were fears this weekend’s game could also be called off after Monday’s planned training session was scrapped at the last minute.
But Steve Bruce’s squad who were able to train were back in small groups on Tuesday afternoon and they are now preparing for the game.
Players and staff are being tested daily and the fixture is almost certain to go ahead as long as no more positive tests are returned.
The Premier League agreed to postpone the game at Villa given Newcastle had not been able to train. However, as long as the training ground stays open this week, they would be unlikely to grant another postponement, even if Newcastle have a reduced squad to pick from.
The Nigeria international defender was on as his side suffered a 5-1 humiliating defeat to Eberechi Eze’s Crystal Palace.