These Newcastle fans react to extent of Ritchie’s injury

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has revealed that midfielder Matt Ritchie could miss the next two months through injury.

Twitter: Newcastle United head coach Steve Bruce says Matt Ritchie could be out for up to two months with an ankle injury… https://t.co/QbwetEZ0wZ (@NUFC)

Ritchie was forced off in the first-half of Newcastle’s League Cup defeat to Leicester, following a heavy challenge from Hamza Choudhury.

These Newcastle fans took to Twitter to react to the news…

Terrible…

Twitter: Terrible news re: Matt Ritchie. With Willems potentially out too, I wonder what Schteve will do at LWB.

Also don’t… https://t.co/B35u1nOfQ7 (@azizk47)

He drives others forward!

Twitter: Gutted that Ritchie will be out for so long

A player that drives other players onwards and sets the bar when it co… https://t.co/U8ymcVmi75 (@chrisshipmanTF)

Massive loss…

Twitter: All these people who’ve been calling Ritchie championship level and wanting him to be dropped are going to get a ma… https://t.co/9tSeqZXCpz (@PJ_Walker88)

Is he the first name on the teamsheet?

Twitter: Gutted to see Matt Ritchie ruled out for up to two months – for me he’s the first name on the team sheet.

He epit… https://t.co/r96DDnaEk8 (@ADMusgrove)

Huge blow…

Twitter: Losing Ritchie is a huge blow to #nufc today. Good opportunity for others to step up. (@stevewraith)

READ NEWCASTLE VERDICT

Is Jetro Willems good enough to slot in at wing-back in place of Ritchie?

It remains to be seen after his start to the season in Newcastle colours. He came off the bench against Arsenal to make his debut and was at fault for the only goal of the game, as he failed to come towards a pass and allowed Ainsley Maitland-Niles to nip in and cross for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

He looked sharper against Leicester, although still clumsy on the ball at times and produced a shocking dive in the build-up to Yoshi Muto’s goal.

As long as he erases that side of his game and shows more defensive quality, he should be a capable stand-in for Ritchie over the coming weeks.