Newcastle Faces Criticism Over Dedic Injury Setback

Amar Dedic’s bright start at St James’ Park has been cut down in the space of two bruising weeks – and Newcastle United are feeling the heat from Bosnia and Herzegovina boss Sergej Barbarez.

The defender, who had quickly settled into life on Tyneside, first felt his hamstring in a Carabao Cup tie against Millwall earlier this month. Newcastle’s medical staff were optimistic. The problem, they believed, was manageable.

Then came Leeds United.

Despite that warning sign in the cup, Dedic was thrown back into the Premier League lineup. He lasted 58 minutes of the defeat before pulling up again and trudging off, the kind of slow, uneasy exit that tells its own story. For Barbarez, it was a completely avoidable turning point.

From Sarajevo, the national team coach did not bother to sugar-coat his frustration. He laid the blame squarely at Newcastle’s door, arguing that a key international defender has been lost to Bosnia’s Nations League campaign because club football pushed too hard, too soon.

Barbarez stressed that the second setback was no repeat twinge. The damage, he explained, was significantly worse than the initial strain suffered against Millwall, a clear escalation that has now ruled Dedic out of matches against Poland, Romania, and Sweden.

“I would like to say a few technical things regarding the extent of Amar Dedic’s injury. He renewed his injury against Leeds, the extent of the injury is greater than before. If he had rested that game, he would certainly be with us now, but such things happen. He will be absent for three or four weeks. He will not be ready for these four games,” Barbarez said.

A blow for Bosnia. A headache for Newcastle. And a young defender suddenly stalled just as his Premier League journey was gathering pace.

Busuladzic devastation deepens injury gloom

Dedic’s absence is bad enough. The news on Kenan Busuladzic is far worse.

Where the full-back is facing weeks on the sidelines, the young midfielder is staring at months. Nine of them.

Busuladzic has torn his cruciate ligaments, a brutal diagnosis that wipes him out for almost an entire year and strips Barbarez of another emerging option in the heart of his team.

“We also miss Kenan Busuladzic. He will not be in the game for nine months because he tore his cruciate ligaments,” the Bosnia manager confirmed, delivering the kind of update every dressing room dreads.

A Nations League window that should have been a chance to build rhythm and identity has instead opened with scans, reports, and rehab schedules.

New faces drafted in

Barbarez has not stood still. With two important pieces missing, he has moved to refresh the squad and test the depth of Bosnia’s next generation.

• Four players have been called into the senior setup: Benjamin Tahirovic, Ajdin Hasic, Arjan Malic, and Luka Duric.

Duric’s inclusion jumps off the page. The forward has been making quiet but meaningful progress in Germany’s second tier, adapting to life at Paderborn and pushing his way into the conversation for a national-team role. For Barbarez, this window is a chance to see whether that club form can translate under international pressure.

“We handed out several invitations, we invited Benjamin Tahirovic, Ajdin Hasic, Arjan Malic and Luka Duric from Paderborn. He made a step forward in his career, he plays in the Bundesliga. Although the start of the season was not the most important thing, we want to see him in action so that he can be part of our team,” Barbarez explained.

Injuries have forced his hand, but they have also opened a door. These are the auditions that can reshape a squad.

Alajbegovic scare eases after Juventus checks

Just as the casualty list seemed to be growing by the day, there was at least one piece of relief.

Kerim Alajbegovic, the Juventus talent who has been attracting attention with his performances in Italy, sparked alarm when he was withdrawn at half-time in a clash with Atalanta. Another muscle problem? Another name to add to the growing list?

Not this time.

After talks with Juventus’ medical staff and the player himself, Barbarez received a far more reassuring update. The midfielder has a minor hip issue, nothing more, and is still expected to link up with the national team.

“We spoke with Alajbegovic last night. He is slightly injured, he felt pain in his hip. Juventus doctors examined him last night and he is on his way to Sarajevo. He may take a break for a day or two, but it shouldn’t be anything special,” the coach said.

For Bosnia, that matters. In a window where Dedic and Busuladzic are missing, Alajbegovic’s availability softens the blow and preserves at least one creative spark in midfield.

For Newcastle, the questions linger. How did a minor hamstring strain in a cup tie become a three-to-four-week layoff? And in a season where every point and every player counts, can they afford many more gambles like the one that cost Amar Dedic his international window?