Friday 17 February 2017 14:19, UK
Newcastle's Championship title hopes have suffered a setback with news Isaac Hayden will be out for four weeks after ankle surgery.
The former Arsenal midfielder has been a regular in Rafael Benitez's side this season but has not played in either of the last two games against Wolves and Norwich, watching on from the substitutes' bench instead.
After apparently giving him time to get over the problem, a decision has been taken by Newcastle's medical staff to send the 21-year-old for an operation.
With Hayden expected to be sidelined for about a month, that means he will miss matches against three of the Magpies' promotion rivals.
They take on Brighton, Huddersfield and Reading - currently second, third and fourth - over the course of a week from February 28.
Hayden will not be ready for any of those clashes, which could play a significant part in determining how the campaign pans out for Benitez's team.
The England U21 international has made 32 appearances in all competitions since moving to Newcastle in the summer, scoring once against Reading.
