Newcastle United rocked by new injury blow as Isaac Hayden undergoes surgery

The defender could be out until February, and his absence will compound the problems facing head coach Eddie Howe – who is without a number of players due to injuries and Covid-19 – at the relegation-threatened club.

These absences forced the postponement of tonight’s Premier League game against Everton at Goodison Park, and Sunday’s fixture against Southampton at the St Mary’s Stadium is now in doubt.

Hayden – who missed Monday night’s game against Manchester United through suspension – posted a photograph from a hospital bed following his surgery. The 26-year-old’s left knee was compressed, and the caption read: “My new best friend for a while.”

Howe, meanwhile, is due to hold a press conference tomorrow ahead of the Southampton game. Howe lost Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser to injuries in Monday night’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United at St James’s Park.