Newcastle United midfielder Ki Sung-yueng has been ruled out of the Magpies’ clash with Fulham on the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday.
Ki, 30, suffered a knee injury during Newcastle’s 3-2 defeat against Liverpool in their final game at St James’ Park this season last weekend.
The South Korean has made 18 Premier League appearances this season after joining the Magpies last summer from Swansea City, but Benitez revealed that the midfielder will not be fit enough to feature in Newcastle’s trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham.
“We have more or less the same problems that we had before. The kind of injuries they have, they will not be ready. We have also lost Ki, who has a knee problem. It is not very serious but we don’t want to take the risk,” Benitez told Newcastle’s official club website ahead of their clash with Fulham.
OPINION
The loss of Ki ahead of Newcastle’s final Premier League game of the season against Fulham will be a blow for Benitez’s side. The South Korean has been a solid performer when called upon this season, after signing for the club from Swansea last summer after the Welsh club were relegated from the top flight. The 30-year-old senior player started Newcastle’s defeat against title chasing Liverpool last weekend, and was an important figure in helping the Magpies produce a battling performance that saw them push Jurgen Klopp’s side all the way. However, he has not always been a starter this season, with Benitez opting to play the likes of Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey, Sean Longstaff and Mo Diame in midfield instead of the Korean at times. Despite this though Ki has always been ready to make an impact when called upon, and he will be hoping that he gets more chances to impress for Newcastle next season. Newcastle will miss his presence as they look to sign of their Premier League season with a win against Fulham.
