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Janmaat Closing In On Magpies Return
Written by Newcastle Utd
Daryl Janmaat is closing in on a return to action, according to Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Daryl Janmaat is closing in on a return to action, according to Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez.
However, Magpies' captain Fabricio Coloccini is expected to miss the final three games of the campaign with a calf injury.
United entertain Crystal Palace at St. James' Park on Saturday in a crucial top flight fixture, and while Dutch international right-back Janmaat will be sidelined by a hand injury, Benitez is hopefully he could be back in the squad the following weekend at Aston Villa.
"We have Mbabu who was training (again) the other day, and the rest of the players are more or less the same," explained Benitez, when asked about the fitness of his players.
"We don't have Coloccini, we don't have Janmaat and (Steven) Taylor is coming back, so it is more or less the same.
"(Janmaat) is close, very close. I think next week we will see because he has to have the protection (on his hand).
"Next week it will be a little bit better and he will have more confidence."
Coloccini suffered a calf injury on a warm weather training camp in La Manga in February, but suffered a set-back recently.
And Benitez said: "He is working hard with the physios.
"If he is coming back, it will be training next week, so I don't think there is too much time for him now, because obviously he will not be fully fit or will not be in the condition to compete.
"You never know, because he has experience. He is working hard with the physios but, for me, it will be difficult to see him in the next games."