Newcastle captain, Jamaal Lascelles, is anticipated to undergo surgery on a knee injury, with scans indicating he could be sidelined for “six to nine months.”
Lascelles sustained a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Saturday’s victory against West Ham.
The 30-year-old is scheduled to undergo surgery next week.
Joining him on the sidelines, fellow center-back Sven Botman also suffered a comparable injury earlier this month against Manchester City, ruling him out for a similar timeframe of up to nine months.
Lascelles had to be substituted off just 17 minutes into Saturday’s 4-3 win at St James’ Park.
In a statement, the club said: “After seeing a specialist consultant, he is expected to undergo surgery next week and will be out for six to nine months.
“Everyone at Newcastle United extends their best wishes to Jamaal for a full and speedy recovery.”
Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth, and Miguel Almiron were among those who had to leave the field due to injury last Saturday, further exacerbating Newcastle’s plagued season with ongoing injury setbacks.
England goalkeeper Nick Pope has been sidelined since December due to a shoulder injury, while Brazilian midfielder Joelinton and Three Lions striker Callum Wilson have also been absent for extended periods.
Lewis Miley and Kieran Trippier are currently sidelined, and Anthony Gordon will face a one-match suspension following his red card for accumulating two yellow cards late in the game against the Hammers.