Islam Slimani working hard to be fit for Huddersfield clash

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

Sunday Mar 18, 2018. 12:30

Algerian striker Islam Slimani is working hard to be fit for Newcastle United’s crunch Premier League clash at home to Huddersfield Town at the end of the month.

The Fennec Foxes attacker has yet to play for the Magpies following his January loan move from Leicester City.

A troublesome thigh injury has kept him sidelined and resulted in a stringent individual fitness plan to get him back in action.

Slimani has joined Newcastle on a warm-weather camp in Spain, but has continued to train on his own programme in an effort to get him fit for the March 31 match against the Terriers.

Manager Rafael Benitez told NUFC TV: “He has a plan, he has to follow that plan. He is working with the fitness coach but he has to follow the plan.”