THERE'S mixed news on the injury front for Newcastle United ahead of Sunday's game against Manchester United.

Eddie Howe expects Nick Pope to be available, despite the goalkeeper having to pull out of the England squad during the international break with a thigh injury.

Sven Botman was also forced into an international withdrawal after coming down with food poisoning while away with Holland, but the defender has been in full training since his return to Tyneside.

But the game could well come too soon for Anthony Gordon, who is carefully working his way back from an ankle injury.

And despite being pictured running in training during the international break, Miguel Almiron is still expected to be another month away from returning to action.

“I don’t see that (the timescale) changing,” said Howe, who said Almiron was facing six weeks out at the start of the international break.

“I’d love it to. I’d love him to beat the timescale given, but I just don’t see it currently.

“He’s making really good progress. I think he’s pain-free. I don’t think there’s any long-term issues. I think it’s just a case of that’s the time it will take for the muscle to full heal.

“So I think we’re four weeks off, maybe slightly less. But yeah, he’s making really good progress.”

Gordon hasn't featured for Newcastle since the Manchester City defeat almost a month ago and although he is now back in training, Howe isn't sure when the midfielder will be ready to return to action.

“I don’t know the answer to that currently," said the head coach, when asked whether Gordon will be available to face Manchester United.

"He did a very small part of training on Wednesday. We’ll see how he has responded to that today.”

Pope battled through injury in the Nottingham Forest game, Howe has revealed, and after a week's rest following his England withdrawal, the head coach is hopeful his keeper is fully recovered.

He said: “Nick felt a problem in his thigh after the Wolves games. He didn’t train in preparation for the Nottingham Forest game but completed the game with some discomfort.

“He didn’t train in Dubai but has trained this week, so the signs are good.”

The signs are also promising on Botman.

Howe said:  “Sven, I think, suffered food poisoning - quite a nasty bout of illness. I don’t think he was alone in the Holland camp, there were few players suffering the same thing.

“He left the camp early to try and get himself back up to speed. He has trained with us since he’s returned, so he should be fine.”

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Newcastle will also be boosted by the return of Joelinton on Sunday after the Brazilian served a two-match ban.

Howe said: “It’s huge. Joe’s a huge presence, not just physically but the other lads know how good of a player he is. So to have him back among the squad is a huge boost for us.

"He’s been very consistent this season, a huge player for us, very versatile. To have him back is a big lift but as you say, the other players in his absence have performed very well. It’s great to have competition for players.”