Rafa Benitez was pushing for defensive reinforcements on deadline day and as we all know he was unable to the cover he so desperately craved – NUFC’s inability to grant his wish may have bitten us on the backside just a week later, as reports suggest Chancel Mbemba could now face 3 months out after sustaining an injury on international duty.
The defender – who’s filled in superbly at left-back over the last 2 games – scored in DR Congo’s World Cup qualifier over Tunisia on Tuesday night, only to hobble off in the 59th minute.
Their national team doctor, Dr Jean-Pierre Bungu Kakala, has claimed that Mbemba will be out of DR Congo’s next qualifier against Libya on October 7th (suggesting he will certainly miss a month of action), and could even face a total of 3 months out, with further tests set to take place to confirm the extent of his injury.
Big blow if true. Big fan of @mbemba22 – was getting himself back on form. Let's hope it's not as bad as feared #nufc https://t.co/fCKT8mAGgo
— Andrew Musgrove (@ADMusgrove) September 6, 2017
We do have Florian Lejeune and DeAndre Yedlin returning from injury this weekend, but with Paul Dummett out of action until later this year, Achraf Lazaar leaving on deadline day and no left-back arriving, it’s an untimely injury for Benitez.
Mbemba has by no means been a favourite of Benitez’s during his tenure, but the defender was just starting to come into form, seizing his chance at left-back with two assured displays against Huddersfield and West Ham.
Here’s hoping the extent of the injury isn’t as bad as first feared, but the earl signs don’t appear to be good.