Some more bad news for Rafa Benitez today, with the Mail’s Craig Hope reporting that Jonjo Shelvey is set to see a specialist to find a solution for a reoccurring thigh injury that has flared up once again.
The story states that he will jet off to Barcelona in the next 24 hours for treatment and is already a doubt for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea as a result, with the piece stating that the injury is now ‘threatening to disrupt the remainder of his season’.
With Ki at the Asian Cup, Diame nursing a hip injury and Hayden playing poorly as he seeks a move away for personal reasons, it would be an understatement to say we are light on fit and capable central midfielders – so to hear Shelvey could be facing ANOTHER spell on the sidelines could have huge implications for our season.
Here’s a snippet from Craig Hope’s worrying story for the Daily Mail this morning:
Jonjo Shelvey will travel to Barcelona this week as he desperately seeks a solution to the recurring thigh injury that is threatening to disrupt the remainder of his season, Sportsmail can reveal.
There is a fear that Newcastle’s star player could miss more games than he plays between now and May and he is a doubt for this weekend’s trip to Chelsea.
Shelvey’s thigh again flared up following his second-half introduction during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn.
The problem has dogged him since November and the muscle is becoming inflamed after games.
Shelvey will visit a specialist in Barcelona along with a club physio in the coming days in a bid to get to the bottom of the injury.
He made the same trip before Christmas but the problem remains a serious concern for the 26-year-old and manager Rafa Benitez.
I’d argue that Martin Dubravka and Salomon Rondon are our two most important players at present, but given we already have several issues to contend with in the central midfield area, losing Shelvey for any length of time could be disastrous.
In this situation, most managers would immediately receive backing from the board and see a much needed midfielder signed up given we are now in a transfer window, but I have no faith in Ashley delivering the goods.