Rafa Benitez on whether Daryl Janmaat will play again for Newcastle this season

Rafa Benitez is hopeful that Daryl Janmaat WILL be able to play again this season for Newcastle United after undergoing surgery on his hand.
Daryl JanmaatDaryl Janmaat
Daryl Janmaat

Janmaat suffered a groin injury and broke two fingers at the St Mary’s Stadium last weekend.

The defender limped out of the game, which relegation-threatened Newcastle lost 3-1, and punched the away dressing room wall in frustration.

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Janmaat – who is out of this afternoon’s home game against Swansea City – has since had surgery on his hand.

The 26-year-old has also had treatment for his groin injury.

Asked if Janmaat will playing again this season, United manager Benitez said: “We will see.

“This game, he cannot play. The next one, Man City (on Tuesday night), is it too soon? We will see, but if he has some protection, we will see if he wants to take a risk.”

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Janmaat suffered his groin injury when he slipped in the build-up to Southampton’s second goal.

And he lashed out in the dressing room amid a heated exchange.

Janmaat will need permission from the surgeon and club doctor before he can play again.

Asked if he would need to wear a cast, Benitez said: “Yes. The problem now is the groin problem so we don’t need to push him.

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“When I was talking with him, he said ‘no, no – I will take a risk for the team’.

“But now you need to find the right protection and you need permission from the surgeon and the doctor and everything.

“But the most positive thing for me is that he wanted to take the risk. So he cannot now because of the groin. But we will try to push him, we will have to push him.”

On Janmaat’s actions, Benitez added: “Sometimes it’s frustration, sometimes it’s the passion.

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“I had a player in the past at Real Madrid reserves with the same problem.

“Sometimes they care so much and they want to be there, that can happen.

“Obviously, it’s bad news, but if he’s available for the next game that will be a positive, and maybe other players can put him under pressure.”

Vurnon Anita is on standby to deputise for Janmaat at right-back, having been switched to that position after he left the field at the St Mary’s Stadium.