Newcastle United defender Emil Krafth, who has not played for over a year thanks to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, has been spotted back in first team training [via NewcastleWorld].
Eddie Howe, when asked about Krafth’s fitness, said that the Swedish international is ‘doing well’ and that he is a ‘fantastic character’ who Newcastle have ‘missed greatly both as a character and as a player’.
Krafth last played for Newcastle back in August of 2022, when he picked up his injury in a second round League Cup encounter against Tranmere Rovers.
What did Eddie Howe say regarding Emil Krafth’s injury?
In an interview featured in NewcastleWorld, Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe said: “He’s [Krafth] doing well. As you have with serious injuries like the one he’s had, you have good days, bad days.
“He’s had good spells and bad spells where he hasn’t felt so good but he’s slowly coming into a really good feeling in his body where he’s worked incredibly hard.
“Emil is a fantastic character who we’ve missed greatly both as a character and as a player. He’s not training with the team yet, he’s in very early stages with the sports science team so we’re probably looking at four-to-six weeks before he’s training with the team.”
What will Krafth’s role be upon his return to the Newcastle squad?
Sadly for Krafth, even though he has returned from injury, it is difficult to see where he fits into the Newcastle United first team. Kieran Trippier has largely usurped his spot at right-back – moreover, they can also call upon Tino Livramento, who they signed in the summer transfer window.
Effectively, this makes Krafth the Toon’s 3rd-choice right-back. He has an ace up his sleeve, however – he can also play as a centre-back.
While he is not the tallest of players at just 6ft, he has excellent defensive instincts and possesses underrated physical strength. He is never going to be a first-choice centre-half for the Toon, but he could be an excellent defensive utility player at Newcastle United moving forwards. If there is still a role for him in the team, we feel that this is what it will be.