Newcastle Faces Criticism Over Dedić Injury Management
Newcastle United’s handling of Amar Dedić’s fitness has come under sharp scrutiny, with Bosnia and Herzegovina head coach Sergej Barbarez openly questioning the club’s decision-making after the defender was ruled out of international duty with a serious hamstring injury.
Dedić had started brightly at St James’ Park, quickly looking at home in the Premier League and offering Bosnia a dynamic option down the flank. Then came the first warning sign: a hamstring problem picked up in the Carabao Cup tie against Millwall earlier this month.
Newcastle’s medical team were initially optimistic. The message was that it was manageable, that the issue was not severe. Days later, Dedić started a Premier League match against Leeds United.
It proved a costly gamble.
The full-back lasted just 58 minutes of the defeat at Elland Road before signalling he could not continue. That moment, Barbarez believes, changed the course of his international window.
At a press conference in Sarajevo, the Bosnia boss did not bother to sugarcoat his view of the situation. He made it clear he felt the setback could have been avoided if the player had been given the chance to fully recover from the first strain.
“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.
The diagnosis is stark: the damage from the Leeds match is significantly worse than the original problem against Millwall. For Bosnia, it means a key defender will miss Nations League fixtures against Poland, Romania, and Sweden at a crucial stage of their campaign.
Busuladzić blow deepens Bosnia’s injury woes
Dedić’s absence is not the only headache for Barbarez.
The national team coach confirmed an even more brutal setback for young midfielder Kenan Busuladzić, whose knee injury has turned out to be far more serious than first feared. The 19-year-old faces a near year-long spell on the sidelines after tearing his cruciate ligaments, a devastating blow for both player and country.
“We also miss Kenan Busuladzic. He will not be in the game for nine months because he tore his cruciate ligaments,” Barbarez revealed, laying bare the scale of the loss.
Two promising talents, both out. One for a month, one for most of a year. For a squad already working on tight margins, it forces rapid adjustment.
New faces drafted in for Nations League test
Barbarez has responded by reshaping his group, turning to a mix of emerging and hungry options to keep Bosnia competitive through a condensed Nations League window.
Four players have been called into the senior setup: Benjamin Tahirović, Ajdin Hasić, Arjan Malić, and Luka Durić. Each brings a different profile, but it is Durić’s inclusion that stands out.
The Paderborn man has been making quiet but important strides in the German second tier, adapting to the physical and tactical demands of his club football and earning a closer look at international level.
“We handed out several invitations, we invited Benjamin Tahirovic, Ajdin Hasic, Arjan Malic and Luka Durić 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.
The message is clear: injuries may have ripped holes in the original plan, but this window will also serve as an audition. Those who impress now can lock in a place for the longer term.
Alajbegović scare eases after Juventus checks
Just as Bosnia’s injury list seemed to be spiralling, there was at least one shaft of light.
Kerim Alajbegović, the Juventus prospect, sparked concern when he was withdrawn at half-time of a recent match against Atalanta. Given the backdrop of Dedić and Busuladzić, any sign of discomfort set alarm bells ringing.
This time, though, the news is far less dramatic.
“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,” Barbarez said.
A minor hip issue, a brief pause, and then back into the fold. In the current climate, that almost counts as a victory.
For Newcastle, the questions around Dedić’s management will not disappear quickly. For Bosnia, the reality is more immediate: a patched-up squad, fresh faces under the spotlight, and a demanding Nations League schedule that will reveal whether these enforced changes become a crisis or the start of a new core.
