Newcastle United have confirmed that centre midfielder Isaac Hayden will miss the rest of the 2020/21 season with a significant knee injury.
The 25-year old was stretchered off the pitch during the first half on Saturday and the fears of Toon fans have today been confirmed by the club and he will be unavailable for the forthcoming battle to stay in the division.
The only bit of positive news that was included in the statement released by the club was the fact that he will not require surgery on his knee.
The midfielder sent a tweet out on Saturday night after the game, telling fans he was going to everything to ensure he was back on the pitch as soon as possible.
Gutted all round is an understatement! I will be doing my utmost to recover as quickly as I can from this injury to help the team. Respect to Bissouma for checking on me after the game was a complete accident and Brighton medical staff for there help tonight also #NUFC
— Isaac Hayden (@IsaacHayden65) March 20, 2021
Hayden will be a huge miss for Newcastle in the relegation scrap as it will be very difficult to replace the hard work and defensive stability that he offers the side.
So far this season, Hayden has played 24 times in the Premier League for the Magpies and he boasts an impressive set of statistics that show just how hard it will be in his absence.
He has made 52 tackles, made 43 interceptions and also made 45 clearances. He may be slightly limited as a player but one thing you are guaranteed is that he will put 100% in and put his body on the line if needed.
What must worry fans even more is that Steve Bruce’s answer to Hayden going off injured was to bring on Jeff Hendrick.
The Republic of Ireland international has had a horrible start to his Newcastle career and does not look like a player that is anywhere near Premier League level. In fact, he probably wouldn’t look out of place in most Sunday league matches.
He is slower than Hayden, worse at passing and does not posses the same defensive attributes and as such we will be left seriously short if he is the man to replace Hayden on a long term basis.
There are other options available to Steve Bruce but he seems to prefer Hendrick over either of the Longstaff brothers, for some reason.
Hayden is yet another huge injury blow to United who have recently been without their front three of Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron.