Player on Newcastle United player’s injury – Didn’t know situation was ‘that bad’

Last October, Sport Witness covered claims from Denmark of FC Copenhagen’s interest in Newcastle United’s Emil Krafth. Their desire was to sign him for a reasonable price in the winter market, but that didn’t happen.

The Sweden international is still at St James’ Park, where he has contract until the end of this season.

Krafth made only one Premier League appearance for Newcastle United and two more in the EFL Cup this season. The limited role with the Magpies saw him miss out on the national team fixtures in October.

Sweden manager Graham Potter had initially not included the right-back in the squad in November. He had to recall the Newcastle United player after a concern over Leeds United defender Gabriel Gudmundsson’s fitness.

Newcastle United player injured

The fullback played 65 minutes in Sweden’s 1-1 draw against Slovenia in the World Cup qualifier in November. That has been his last appearance as an injury has forced him to spend time on the sidelines.

Eddie Howe recently admitted the 31-year-old may not feature again this season. Fotboll Direkt say Hammarby IF’s Hampus Skoglund could be in contention to make it to Potter’s squad for March’s international break.

The former West Ham United boss, who will be without Krafth and Bologna’s Emil Holm for next month’s fixtures, watched Hammarby IF’s 2-0 cup win over Brage on Friday.

Skoglund played the full 90 minutes in his preferred role as a right-back and spoke to Fotboll Direkt after the match. He wasn’t aware Potter was in the attendance.

“No, I had no idea. But the fact that he was there is a good sign. There aren’t many right-backs in the national team, and the goal is of course to get there,” he said.

Krafth and Holm injuries lucky for someone else

The outlet immediately mentions the Newcastle United defender and Holm are injured, and Holstein Kiel’s Alexander Bernhardsson returned from an injury.

When asked whether that should open the Sweden door for him, Skoglund explained: “Yeah… I didn’t know it was that bad.”

“Yes [there are not many right-backs], but I meant more generally. Unlucky for them that they’re injured, but lucky for someone else who can take that spot in that case.”

As things stand, Krafth will leave Newcastle United as a free agent after this season.