By Russell Edge

16th Mar, 2018 | 4:54pm

Journalist reveals attacking Newcastle duo out of team training as fears mount over 22-year-old

Newcastle United attacking duo Islam Slimani and Kenedy have both been left out of team training on Friday during the club’s mid-season camp away in Spain, according to a journalist.

BBC Radio Newcastle reporter Matthew Raisbeck has claimed on his personal Twitter account that the Algerian striker was left to work by himself in the gym in a bid to return to fitness during his ongoing injury layoff, while there are fears mounting over the 22-year-old winger’s workload.

The 22-year-old Brazilian, on loan at the Magpies from Chelsea, scored his first two goals of his career at the club during the 3-0 win over Southampton, with a three week break between league fixtures as a result of their postponed game against Tottenham.

Slimani meanwhile is yet to feature for Newcastle since also joining on loan in January, the 29-year-old leaving Leicester City to link up with Rafael Benitez’s men, but a groin strain means he has been unavailable.

Football Insider verdict

While there were hopes over Slimani making an immediate return to action after the enforced break, the fact he is yet to return to senior training will be something of a worry for the Toon Army. Still, he was fit enough to travel and it could be that he gets some minutes, even just half an hour, in Sunday’s friendly against Royal Antwerp. Kenedy meanwhile has gone from playing once in a blue moon at Chelsea to turning out every week for the Magpies so a rest is well deserved, and good management from Benitez and his staff for the final, and crucial, stretch of the season.

In other Newcastle United news, fans were left delighted by a mammoth Arsenal reveal.