Newcastle midfielder Vurnon Anita could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with the Dutchman facing several weeks on the treatment table.
Anita was taken off early into United’s 1-0 loss to West Brom with a hamstring injury, and Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren fears the worst.
When the 26-year-old was replaced by Cheick Tiote, the Magpies missed his presence in the middle of the park.
Speaking to the Shields Gazette after Monday’s defeat, Steve McClaren spoke about his anchorman’s injury:
“We’ll have to assess him. He has been great for us.”
I think it’s a bad one.
The pressure on the shoulders of McClaren has heavily increased in recent weeks, after successive defeats against Everton and West Brom plunged Newcastle into the dark realms of the relegation zone.
The news of Anita’s lay-off may prompt the Toon hierarchy to purchase a centre-midfielder in January, with Jonjo Shelvey emerging as a possible target.
In other injury news, Jamaal Lascelles has fully recovered from his recent setback, and Rolando Aarons is back in full training.
