Florian Lejeune injury leaves Rafa Benitez short on defensive numbers at Newcastle

Florian Lejeune is sidelined with a knee injury at Newcastle United.

The defender sat out last night's 2-2 draw against Hull City at the KCOM Stadium.

Florian Lejeune.placeholder image
Florian Lejeune.

And Lejeune is being assessed ahead of Saturday's friendly against Porto at the Estadio do Dragao.

Florian Lejeune.placeholder image
Florian Lejeune.

A number of players missed the friendly game, though Lejeune's problem is potentially more "serious".

Asked about absences at Hull, United manager Rafa Benitez said: "Some of them have little problems, and Kenedy’s wife has had a baby, so he has had some time off.

"The only one that is a bit more serious could be Lejeune. He has a knee problem that we have to assess in the next couple of days."

Lejeune played in last week's 2-0 win over St Patrick's Athletic.

Newcastle this week sold defender Chancel Mbemba to Porto.

Josef Yarney, 20, has started United's first two pre-season friendlies.

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