Newcastle United have reportedly been handed yet another defensive blow heading into the winter period.
The Magpies have endured somewhat of a mixed start to the new campaign, at one stage having won just three of their opening nine league games.
However, impressive victories over Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have catapulted Eddie Howe's side into a position where they sit just one point of third place in the Premier League table.
Furthermore, Newcastle have reached the EFL Cup quarter-finals, enabling Howe to make full use of his squad as they bid to earn a return to European football.
Nevertheless, the North East outfit have been forced to deal with injury issues throughout this season, and another valuable player has now joined the treatment room.
As per Chronicle Live, there is every expectation that Emil Krafth will not play any football until at least the start of 2025.
© Imago
Krafth absence a notable miss
The Sweden international has not necessarily been a regular in Howe's starting lineup in recent seasons, not helped by needing to recover from a long-term injury.
However, Krafth has played the full 90 minutes in wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in different competitions this season, his current game time stands at five starts and one substitute outings for 2024-25.
A collarbone injury that kept the 30-year-old out of the squad against Nottingham Forest before the international break is responsible for his upcoming absence.
Krafth now misses out on the chance to deputise for the suspended Dan Burn against West Ham United next time out, as well as a likely outing against Brentford in the EFL Cup quarter-finals in the middle of December.
Lloyd Kelly now looks likely to earn more opportunities having been restricted to five starts and four substitute outings since joining from Bournemouth in the summer.
Newcastle are still awaiting the likes of Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles to return from their respective knee injuries.
Darren Plant
