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da realbet： Sean Longstaff is expected to miss the rest of the season, Newcastle have confirmed, but will this drag the Magpies back into the relegation scrap?
What’s the story?
Longstaff was replaced with a knee injury in Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat at West Ham, and the club have confirmed that the youngster suffered ligament damage.
In a statement on their official site, the Magpies said: “Newcastle United can confirm midfielder Sean Longstaff is likely to miss the remainder of the 2018/19 season with a knee ligament injury.”
There is light at the end of the tunnel though, as The Chronicle reports that the midfielder will not require surgery to repair the damage in his knee.
This means he could be back in light training by the end of March, and will presumably be 100 per cent fit by the beginning of next season.
Silver linings
Longstaff has been fabulous for Rafael Benitez since breaking into the side, simultaneously providing both physicality and defensive contribution as well as calmness in possession and high quality passing.
This is something that St. James’ Park simply hasn’t seen recently barring the odd Jonjo Shelvey master-class, and there’s no doubt they will miss the 21 year-old.
However, with Shelvey, Mo Diame and Ki Sung-yueng all waiting in the wings, Benitez still has more options in midfield that he had at this point last season, when he was able to not only escape the drop but surge up into the top ten.
With Fulham and Huddersfield all but doomed, Magpies fans should take solace in the fact that Cardiff will play four of the top six in their last nine games. The Bluebirds have also lost Sol Bamba to injury, so they are definitely the favourites to go down.
As far as knee ligament injuries go, if Longstaff returns next season in perfect shape with the club’s Premier League status still in tact, this is about as good as it gets.