Newcastle United winger ruled out of five matches after leaving stadium on crutches

Newcastle United winger Ryan Fraser has been ruled out of Southampton's next five fixtures because of a knee injury.

Fraser, who joined the Saints on a season-long loan deal last summer, was forced off after just 18 minutes as his side lost 2-1 away to Millwall in the Championship on Saturday.

The 30-year-old left The Den on crutches and it's since been confirmed that he'll be ruled out for a month.

"He’s going to be out for a little bit of time, unfortunately," said manager Russell Martin. "It’s a bit of a blow for us, a big blow for him but we’ll have him back probably on the other side of the international break. Very soon after that hopefully, all well.

"We lose something when he doesn’t play which is his relentless running ability. We miss his ability to cross on the move, his desire to go and score or assist, and work hard for the team.

"The other guys need to step up now. As always in football, there’s an opportunity for someone else when someone gets injured. I’m gutted for Wee Man because he’s been brilliant since he’s been here. His output data-wise will tell you that.

"You don’t need to have a look at that to see what he has brought. I think everyone has enjoyed having him, but he will play a big part for us in the run-in for sure. We just need to concentrate on getting him as fit as quickly as we possibly can." 

Rather than return Tyneside for treatment like fellow loanees Harrison Ashby and Yankuba Minteh did earlier in the season, Fraser will remain on the South Coast.

"I don’t think he has any desire to go back to Newcastle and get treatment," Martin added. "He wants to be a part of it here and be around the dressing room. That would be our preference. He is a really big character in the dressing room." 

Fraser is not expected to return until after the international break, meaning he will miss tonight's FA Cup clash at Liverpool and at least four league fixtures. 

The former AFC Bournemouth winger will be a big miss for Southampton having scored eight goals in 32 appearances this term. He has one year remaining on his Newcastle contract but is unlikely to play for the club again after falling out with Eddie Howe last year.

The Saints have already expressed an interest in signing the Scotsman permanently. Martin said previously: “We want good players and we want good characters - Ryan definitely fits into that

"The fact that he feels the way he feels after a short time here is really brilliant for us as a group of players and staff to show what we are trying to build here.

“People feel like they belong and they want to be a part of it. He is really enjoying himself, his energy has been brilliant over the last few weeks. He has been so good in training, he does everything properly whether that’s a passing drill or a warm-up.

“He’s a brilliant professional and he’s been really good for the group. The best thing he can do is carry on doing what he is doing. There will be so much that goes on between now and the end of the season."