Newcastle United striker Joelinton should be fit for the Spurs game as Steve Bruce ponders a change in system for the trip to North London.
And United hope he will be joined by forward Allan Saint-Maximin, who is facing a race against time to be back for the Spurs match.
United have been buffeted by criticism since their listless performance at Norwich, with Alan Shearer questioning how Newcastle would score goals with Miguel Almiron and Joelinton failing to find a formula to threaten teams so far.
Bruce desperately needs his side to conjure a better display at Tottenham, and will be mightily relieved that initial assessments have confirmed no serious injury was suffered by the Brazilian in the 3-1 defeat at Carrow Road.
The Newcastle Head Coach had confirmed Joelinton was “very sore” after sustaining a knock in the demoralising loss in East Anglia but follow ups have confirmed nothing serious and he should be fit to play a part on Sunday.
And the club hope Saint-Maximin, whose brief cameo against Arsenal has been one of the few bright spots of the first two games, will return too. The winger had a hamstring problem and is still rated as a doubt at the moment. But he is expected to re-join training this week and will be in contention for a place in the side that takes on Tottenham if he gets through training unscathed.
Newcastle have been utilising a 3-5-2 formation through pre-season and in the first two matches but they may revert to a more conservative formation for the trip to Tottenham. United’s Head Coach is pondering alterations to the system on the training ground as he looks to upset the odds and reverse the tide of momentum at St James’ Park.
