Isaac Hayden drops fresh injury hint at Newcastle United ahead of Southampton clash

Isaac Hayden has joined Newcastle United’s growing injury list after undergoing knee surgery.

The former Arsenal midfielder missed the Magpies’ 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Monday night after serving a one-match suspension.

Hayden was expected to be back for the club’s next fixture - with a visit to Southampton still pencilled in for Sunday, January 2.

However, Hayden’s update on social media puts the trip to St Mary’s in further doubt after tonight’s game at Everton was postponed due to positive Covid-19 cases and injuries.

Posting a picture of his knee in a supportive cast on his Instagram, the caption by Hayden read: “my new best friend for a while”. It is understood the 26-year-old could be sidelined until February,

Hayden missed the remaining nine games of last season after sustaining a serious knee injury in the 3-0 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion in March.

Who else features on Newcastle’s injury list?

Federico Fernandez (thigh) and Jamal Lewis (hamstring) are ruled out until mid to late January, while Paul Dummett is continuing his recovery from a calf problem.

Callum Wilson (calf), Allan Saint-Maximin (calf) and Ryan Fraser (hamstring) all picked up injuries against Man United, though the former two’s issues are believed to be less serious.

Indeed, it is Wilson’s injury that has sparked the most concern, with reports he could be out for four to six weeks.

Ciaran Clark, Matt Ritchie, Joe Willock and Karl Darlow were also absent from the matchday squad on Monday night.

With Covid and injuries ripping through Eddie Howe’s first-team squad, hence the Everton postponement, there are question marks over the trip to Southampton on Sunday.

However, as we stand here right now, the fixture is scheduled to go ahead as planned.