Newcastle defender undergoes operation as injury worries mount up for Rafa Benitez
Newcastle United have lost another defender to injury.
Rafa Benitez's side were beaten 3-1 at home by Fulham yesterday.
The result left United leading the Championship by goal difference ahead of Saturday's game against Birmingham City at St Andrew's.
Centre-half Ciaran Clark limped out of the game with a knee problem.
Benitez, already without DeAndre Yedlin, also revealed in the matchday programme that another right-back, Jamie Sterry, had undergone a groin operation.
"Jamie Sterry has recently had a minor groin operation," said Benitez.
Sterry, 21, returned from a half-season loan at Coventry City in January and has been back-up to Yedlin, Gamez and Vurnon Anita.
Meanwhile, Clark's injury is being assessed by the club's medical team ahead of the Birmingham game.
“Clark picked up a knock with his knee, so we will have to see how he is," said Benitez, who yesterday celebrated his first anniversary at Newcastle.