Newcastle United have received mixed news over Amar Dedić after Bosnia and Herzegovina manager Sergej Barbarez confirmed the defender has aggravated a hamstring injury.
Dedić missed Newcastle’s 2-1 victory over Hull City after being forced off after 58 minutes during the 4-1 defeat at Leeds United.
Barbarez has now suggested the situation could have been avoided, claiming Dedić would have been available for Bosnia had Newcastle rested him against Leeds.
Barbarez says Dedić aggravated existing problem
Dedić had been selected for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Nations League fixtures against Poland, Romania and Sweden, but has now withdrawn from the squad.
Speaking at a press conference, with his comments relayed by Izdvojeno, Barbarez confirmed the Newcastle defender’s hamstring problem has become more serious.
“Unfortunately, Amar Dedić re-injured himself against Leeds,” Barbarez said. “The hamstring injury is more severe than it was before. If he had rested for that game, he would be ready now.”
That represents criticism of how Dedić’s fitness was managed before the Leeds defeat, although Barbarez also provided a relatively encouraging timeframe.
He expects the 24-year-old to be sidelined for between three and four weeks and says Newcastle believe he can return for their first game following the international break.
Newcastle hopeful of Coventry return
That would put Dedić in contention to face Coventry City on October 12.
The international break has therefore arrived at a useful moment for Matthias Jaissle, allowing his first-choice right-back to complete his recovery without potentially missing several additional Newcastle fixtures.
Dedić has quickly established himself since completing his approximately €35million move from Benfica during the summer.
The Bosnia international has registered three assists across seven appearances and 463 minutes, becoming an important part of Jaissle’s new-look Newcastle side.
Jaissle already knew the defender well from their time together at Red Bull Salzburg, and Dedić's early performances have demonstrated why Newcastle were prepared to make a significant investment.
The immediate priority, however, is ensuring the hamstring problem fully heals before he returns.
Key points
- Amar Dedić has withdrawn from Bosnia duty with a hamstring injury.
- Sergej Barbarez says the defender aggravated an existing problem against Leeds.
- Barbarez believes resting Dedić against Leeds could have prevented the setback.
- The Newcastle defender is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks.
- Newcastle hope Dedić will be available against Coventry City on October 12.
What’s next?
Dedić will remain with Newcastle during the international break and focus on recovering from his hamstring problem rather than joining Bosnia for their Nations League fixtures.
The target is a return against Coventry, but Newcastle will need to ensure their first-choice right-back is fully recovered after Barbarez revealed the injury had already been aggravated once.
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