Southampton rocked by injury blow - good and bad news for Newcastle United?

The 18-year-old was substituted against Manchester United in midweek after having a hand in Saint’s opener. Dibling’s flick-on from a corner deflected off Manuel Ugarte and bundled into the Red Devils’ net.

Man United turned the game around with a 3-1 win, with Dibling taken off on 63 minutes. It has now been confirmed that the youngster suffered an ankle injury and will face over a month on the sidelines.

That will rule Dibling - capable of playing on either flank or as a No.10 - out when Newcastle travel to St Mary’s next week. Eddie Howe’s men are aiming to get back in the win column following a shock 4-1 home defeat to Bournemouth.

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Rock-bottom Southampton provide the perfect opportunity to do exactly that given their rotten Premier League form. The Saints are rooted to the table on six points and some are questioning whether they could smash Derby’s record-low total (11) from the 2007-08 campaign.

Ironically, relegation would give the Magpies an opportunity to sign Dibling, a reported transfer target. Reports have suggested Newcastle are interested in the England youth star and an offer of around £25million may get their man.

Howe has a track record of nurturing young English players and getting them into the senior international setup. Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento, a former Southampton player, all made their Three Lions debuts under Howe.

Saints boss Ivan Juric believes Dibling should stay and learn his craft on the south coast before considering a big-money move. He said earlier this month: “I think what is best for him is to play for Southampton and keep growing up. He is still young and he has to concentrate only on training well and playing games. Nothing else.”