Newcastle United have been dealt a blow as winger Matt Ritchie is set to be out until January, according to Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope.
The reliable journalist claimed, via his personal Twitter account, that the Magpies attacker has undergone a second surgery on his ankle injury so is to be stuck on the sidelines a while longer.
“Understand Matt Ritchie has undergone a second operation on his ankle injury and will be out until January. More to follow,” wrote Hope.
Understand Matt Ritchie has undergone a second operation on his ankle injury and will be out until January. More to follow @MailSport #nufc
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) November 28, 2019
The 30-year-old played every minute of the Magpies’ first three league games of the season before suffering an injury in the EFL Cup clash with Leicester City.
OPINION
Steve Bruce must be pulling his hair out as he was probably banking on Ritchie returning to action soon to help his side out. The 30-year-old not only is able to make an impact for the club due to his ability but his passionate and tendency to be a vocal presence on the pitch, see him missed every time he isn’t named in the club’s starting line-up. Ritchie pulled his weight defensively before getting injured as he averaged 1.7 interceptions and two tackles per game, as per WhoScored, across his Premier League outings to be an asset in Bruce’s side. The 30-year-old’s skill set also allows him to be an attacking presence for his side, and this is shown by the fact he averaged 2.3 key passes across his league outings ahead of his injury. Hopefully, this is the last set-back Ritchie suffers and that come January he is able to hit the ground running. While it’s a bit of a cliche, he might end up feeling like a new signing.