North-East reporter Ian Murtagh has shared an update on the fitness of SIX Newcastle players ahead of Saturday’s clash with Brighton at St James’ Park.

He claims Andy Carroll is still on course to make the bench this weekend after suffering no reaction in training so far, however Bruce is set to make a decision on his fitness on Friday.

Allan Saint-Maximin, Matt Ritchie and DeAndre Yedlin are all ‘at least a week away’, meaning a realistic return for the trio could be next Sunday’s trip to Leicester.

After missing the trip to Liverpool with an ankle injury, Murtagh says Sean Longstaff ‘should be fit to face Brighton’, however no return date has been set for Dwight Gayle – who’s has now been handed a period of complete rest after trying and failing to shrug off this long-term calf problem.

There’s no mention of Fabian Schar, who limped off at Anfield last weekend, however it was reported earlier this week by the Mail’s Craig Hope that he would be fit to face Brighton.

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