Eddie Howe insists that Matt Ritchie and Federico Fernandez could still have big roles to play for Newcastle United in the season's run-in.
Ritchie had been missing with a knee injury and has not played since the defeat against Cambridge United in the FA Cup. And Argentina international Fernandez has been in and out of contention due to a thigh problem.
Howe, speaking at his Press conference, said: "Big role for Matt Ritchie, he's had quite a serious knee injury. Recently came back and has had minimal training time. He was probably put on the bench before he was ready to be. Due to numbers that opportunity was given to him.
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"Now we've gone away and trained with him and he's in a much better place physically. But he's a player that I trust, I admire him and he's got a big part to play on and off the field because he's a really big voice in the dressing room."
And reflecting on Fernandez, Howe said: "He does (have a part to play), he's very similar to Matty. He's a big voice, definitely a leader in the group. He's a great character, I love Fede, really level-headed but very intelligent. And I think he knows what the group needs.
"He's had various injuries since I came in. I wouldn't say at this time he's 100% fit. He is building up his resilience and he needs more training time. Injuries have knocked him slightly but he's someone we can rely on when we need him and he'll never let us down. One of those great characters every squad needs and we're delighted to have him."
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