PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Christian Atsu - Ghana winger back this weekend?

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Dec 04, 2017. 13:00

Newcastle United will hope Christian Atsu makes a return to their team for this weekend’s Premier League clash with Leicester City.

The Ghanaian winger has missed the Magpies’ last four matches due to a thigh injury and the expected date of his return remains uncertain.

Early last week, manager Rafa Benitez claimed the Black Stars attacker was “a couple of weeks” away from a possible return, though it depended on his continued reaction to treatment and recovery.

Given that it will have been the better part of two weeks by the time Newcastle line-up for their clash with Leicester at St James’ Park on Saturday, 9 December, there is a chance Atsu could be back in the famous black and white strip.

In the meantime, United have struggled in the continued absence of their Ghanaian. Since the last Player Spotlight featuring Atsu, they have drawn 2-2 at West Bromwich Albion and lost 3-1 at Chelsea.

The results have left them just a few points above the relegation zone and the reality of a difficult campaign is setting in after their surprisingly strong start to the 2017/18 season.