'A midfield of Shelvey and Longstaff for Tottenham, Man City, Liverpool, Leicester and West Ham': Newcastle fans react to injury blow

Hayden suffered a ‘significant knee injury’ following a collision with Brighton’s Yves Bissouma during the Magpies’ 3-0 defeat at the Amex Stadium.

After the news was confirmed, the 26-year-old tweeted: “Really disappointed to miss out on the rest of the campaign and not be able to play my part but will be supporting the lads and the staff as best I can. Thank you for your messages of support.”

Hayden’s injury won’t require surgery but will mean he misses Newcastle’s final nine games against Tottenham, Burnley, West Ham, Liverpool, Arsenal, Leicester, Manchester City, Sheffield United and Fulham.

With top scorer Callum Wilson and creator Allan Saint-Maximin still sidelined, it leaves manager Steve Bruce without several key players for the run-in.

And with just two points separating Newcastle and 18th-place Fulham, Magpies supporters are understandably concerned about their side’s chances.

Here’s how some supporters reacted on social media:

@evan_kiropoulos: It just keeps getting worse. Best wishes on the recovery @IsaacHayden65

@Andrew171001: We’re going to have to play Tottenham, Man City, Liverpool, Leicester and West Ham with a midfield of Shelvey and Sean Longstaff

@CarlaDevine1: Noooo As if things weren’t bad enough :(

@DobbySolanoNUFC: Looking more and more like the writings on the wall for us this season. The player with the most fight and desire out for the rest of the campaign. One of very few who you’d like to have on the pitch when it’s backs against the wall

@stevenffc123: NUFC of late have had no luck with injuries at all. Surely this has to change

@Wellzy95nufc: That's it one of the few who have fight in this team gone relegation confirmed unless Bruce is gone

@johnneilbrown: He will be back for the first game in the Championship

@DannyG1307: Unbelievable! Huge huge miss! It never rains, it pours. All the best on the recovery @IsaacHayden65

@Jonny24Seven: There's all the bite and graft gone from our midfield for the rest of the season then

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