Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has revealed that centre back Federico Fernandez suffered a hip injury against Watford on Saturday.
The Argentinian was substituted for Fabian Schar in the Magpies’ 1-1 draw with Javi Gracia’s side, and Benitez has now confirmed the setback.
He told BBC Newcastle, as cited by journalist Matthew Raisbeck on his personal Twitter account, that he did suffer a knock to the hip.
The club will now examine the former Swansea City man as they attempt to discover the extent of the injury.
Rafa Benitez tells @bbcnewcastle Federico Fernandez went off with a hip injury and #NUFC are assessing how bad it is
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) December 29, 2018
OPINION
Losing Fernandez would be a big blow for Newcastle because he has been one of stars of the club’s season so far this campaign. The Argentine has been everything Benitez hoped he would be and more throughout his team on Tyneside, and while Newcastle have cover in the position, there’s no doubt that Fernandez has been the best of the club’s centre halves so far this term. The Magpies do have Florian Lejeune back to full fitness at long last, while Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark are all options at the heart of the defence for the manager. Still, you never want to lose a top quality operator and that’s certainly what Fernandez has been for Newcastle. Hip injuries are a bit strange as you never know how long they’ll keep a player out for, but hopefully for everyone on Tyneside Fernandez will be back as quickly as possible.
