Newcastle receive encouraging Elanga injury news after scan

The Sweden international has been sidelined by a hamstring problem since before Newcastle's 4-1 defeat at Leeds United on 14 September, and he missed the 2-1 win over Hull City on Saturday.

Matthias Jaissle admitted in his pre-match press conference that there was “no real update” and that the club was hoping the injury was not too serious, while The Mail's Craig Hope had reported that Elanga could be out for six to eight weeks.

A scan has shown the injury to be less serious than first feared. Sky Sports' Keith Downie has said that Elanga had a second scan during the week, that he is “making progress quickly” and that there is hope he could be back after the international break. He will not play for Sweden in their four Nations League matches, giving Newcastle the chance to work on his rehabilitation during the three-week pause.

After the Hull game, Jaissle told reporters, “Hopefully it is not too bad but we are taking it step by step. We are counting on the medical department to bring him back as soon as possible.

“We are being smart in the process, it is a long season so we don't want to hurry up too much. But also I want to have him back as soon as possible.”

The news is a welcome lift for Jaissle, who had nine players unavailable against Hull. Dan Burn, Amar Dedić, Ewen Jaouen, Joelinton, Tino Livramento, Nico González, William Osula and Jacob Ramsey were also missing, and the head coach relied on a young squad, with five under-21 players on the bench.

Elanga has been one of the positives of Newcastle's start under Jaissle. The winger, who joined from Nottingham Forest for a reported £55 million, is joint top scorer in the Premier League for Newcastle this season with two goals, alongside Joe Willock, and Jaissle described him before the scan as a “key strength in our squad”.

Newcastle United, who are ninth in the table, travel to Coventry City after the break, and Elanga will be assessed daily to see whether he can be ready in time.