Slimani may have to wait until March 31 to make Newcastle debut

Islam Slimani (right) battles for the ball with Sunderland's Lamine Kone (left) during the Premier League match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland.

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Feb 28, 2018. 17:00

Algerian Islam Slimani may have to wait a month to make his debut for Newcastle United.

The 29-year-old signed for the Magpies on loan from Leicester City in the January transfer window, but has yet to play for his new club due to a thigh injury.

Slimani has missed matches against Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Bournemouth since moving to St James’ Park.

According to the Chronicle, he is likely to remain sidelined for United’s next two matches against Liverpool and Southampton.

And if Tottenham Hotspur win tonight’s FA Cup replay against Rochdale, then the scheduled match between Spurs and Newcastle on March 16 - which has been identified as Slimani’s likely return date - will be postponed.

This would mean the Algerian has to wait until the March 31 to make his debut, when Newcastle host Huddersfield Town for a crunch relegation battle.

However, there is some good news for the Algerian, who has been named in the EFL Cup team of the tournament.

He scored four goals in three Carabao Cup appearances while still on the books of Leicester in the first half of the season.