OPINION
Rafa Benitez will be sweating buckets just as much as the fans will be if defender Federico Fernandez is potentially sidelined due to injury.
The summer signing limped off at half time due to a calf injury and was replaced by Javier Manquillo as a result – and according to Chronicle reporter Lee Ryder via his personal Twitter account, the ace is set for assessment.
As many supporters will know, Fernandez has been a rock in the centre of the defence recently, and he has saved Newcastle’s skins on a number of occasions this season with his unmistakable ability.
What will Benitez do if he ends up being ruled out after his assessment?
The manager will fear being without the 6ft 3in [Transfermarkt] enforcer for the upcoming fixtures – and his potential absence could not come at a worse time for the Magpies, who currently sit in 15th place in the Premier League after taking just one point from a possible nine.
Benitez needs to get United’s season back on track as soon as possible, but he could find that task a lot more difficult without Fernandez in the starting XI.
He has no doubt proved to be the signing of the summer for Newcastle as well as demonstrating that he is undroppable after a series of outstanding displays.
The last thing Benitez needs is for yet another one of his players to be ruled out – especially with full-back DeAndre Yedlin suspended after his red card against Wolves on Sunday.
This means that he will have no choice but to play the woeful Javier Manquillo in Yedlin’s place, with Fabian Schar possibly coming in if Fernandez is absent.
While Schar is the best option Benitez has available, he does not have the same impact as his teammate – which means the Spaniard will fear what potentially lies ahead without him.
