‘Hugely frustrated’ - Newcastle United dealt ‘bizarre’ eight-week injury blow

Newcastle United will be without Elliot Anderson for the next eight weeks with Eddie Howe on the cusp of a midfield crisis.

The Whitley Bay-born youngster woke up with a back injury less than 24 hours after the Magpies’ 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

Anderson missed United’s 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday and isn’t expected to return in December.

“The next day [after Crystal Palace], he woke up with a sore back and it didn’t really go away so he’s had scans and tests and it looks like eight weeks,” said Howe.

The 20-year-old has made 12 appearances across three competitions this campaign - the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup - including four starts.

And Anderson would have been in line for further appearances in the coming weeks with Sandro Tonali banned for 10 months because of illegal betting, while Bruno Guimaraes is just one yellow card away from serving a one-match Premier League suspension.

Howe added: “Elliot is hugely frustrated and we’re hugely frustrated because it was a key moment for him in his career. This was his breakthrough season in a sense of trying to get more starts and he was doing that, he was well on his way to becoming an important first-team player.

“Hugely disappointing for him and for us because his versatility was important, he could play different roles but again, we have to accept the situation and try and get him back to his best.”