Newcastle Faces Criticism Over Amar Dedic Injury Setback
Newcastle United’s handling of Amar Dedic’s fitness has come under sharp scrutiny after the Bosnia and Herzegovina defender was ruled out of the international window with a serious hamstring injury.
Dedic had started brightly at St James’ Park, quickly settling into life on Tyneside and forcing his way into the side. That momentum has now been abruptly cut short by a recurring issue that first flared during a Carabao Cup tie against Millwall earlier this month.
Newcastle’s medical team were initially optimistic. The club deemed him fit enough to start the following Premier League game against Leeds United. That call is now being painted as a costly misjudgement.
The right-back lasted just 58 minutes in the defeat to Leeds before limping off, a moment that Bosnia head coach Sergej Barbarez believes has altered the course of the player’s immediate season for both club and country.
Barbarez points the finger
Facing the media in Sarajevo, Barbarez did not bother to soften his words. He made it clear he felt the situation had been avoidable if Dedic had been given time to fully recover from the original strain.
He explained that the damage suffered against Leeds was significantly worse than the initial problem picked up against Millwall, and his frustration was obvious as he contemplated a Nations League window without one of his key defenders in games 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.
For Bosnia, the timing could hardly be worse. For Dedic, it is a stinging setback just as he was beginning to establish himself in the Premier League and as a mainstay for his country.
Busuladzic blow deepens Bosnia’s problems
Dedic’s absence is not the only headache Barbarez must manage.
The coach confirmed that highly rated midfielder Kenan Busuladzic faces an even more brutal spell on the sidelines. The youngster has torn his cruciate ligaments and is staring at a recovery that will stretch across most of the next year.
“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 blow.
One player out for weeks. Another out for months. A Nations League campaign that suddenly looks far more complicated.
New faces drafted in
Barbarez has responded by reshaping his squad, pulling in fresh options to keep Bosnia competitive across a condensed run of fixtures.
Benjamin Tahirovic, Ajdin Hasic, Arjan Malic, and Luka Duric have all been called into the senior setup, a clear signal that the coach is willing to accelerate new blood into the frame.
Duric’s inclusion stands out. The forward has been making strides in the German second tier with Paderborn, his adaptation to the demands of professional football in Germany catching the national team’s eye.
“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.
The message is clear: injuries will not be used as an excuse. Those on the fringes now have a window to prove they belong.
Alajbegovic scare eases
Amid the grim updates, there was at least one sliver of good news.
Kerim Alajbegovic, the Juventus talent who sparked fresh fears when he was withdrawn at half-time in a recent match against Atalanta, is expected to be available. His early exit had raised alarms of yet another key absentee, but conversations with Juventus’ medical staff and the player himself have eased those concerns.
“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 confirmed.
So Bosnia head into this Nations League window bruised but not broken: a star defender sidelined, a promising midfielder lost for nine months, new faces thrown into the deep end, and a prized Juventus prospect racing to join up.
The question now is not who is missing, but whether this reshaped squad can turn adversity into a statement against Poland, Romania, and Sweden.
