Steve Bruce issues Newcastle United injury update on Ryan Fraser and Karl Darlow

Darlow – who ably deputised for No.1 Martin Dubravka in the first half of the campaign – missed Newcastle United’s 3-2 Premier League win over West Ham United at St James’s Park last weekend.

And United head coach Steve Bruce speaking ahead of tomorrow’s game against Liverpool at Anfield, has revealed that Darlow has had a “small operation” on his knee.

Winger Fraser, signed last summer, has also had surgery after reporting back from Scotland duty late last month with a groin injury.

“Karl Darlow had a small operation on his knee, he’ll be out for a few weeks,” said Bruce, who named Mark Gillespie on his bench against West Ham. “The same for Ryan Fraser.”

Winger Allan Saint-Maximin, forced off against West Ham with an ankle problem, is fit to face Premier League champions Liverpool after training all week.

“Allan has only played two 90 minutes this year," said Bruce. “He’s had an awful time with injuries and Covid. He’s OK, thankfully. He’s trained all week. It was a kick.”

Defender Fabian Schar – who had surgery on his knee earlier this year – is also back in training, while striker Callum Wilson, back from a hamstring injury, is OK for the Liverpool fixture despite missing training yesterday.

“It was normal for him, Callum,” said Bruce. “He takes it easy on a Thursday. Callum’s perfectly OK too. He (Schar) has worked extremely hard. It’s good to see him back.”

Newcastle are 15th in the Premier League with six games left to play.

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