OPINION
Despite making seven signings in the summer window, Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez did not achieve all he wanted in the now-closed transfer market.
One of the positions that the Spaniard was desperate to strengthen was at wing-back, with both DeAndre Yedlin and Paul Dummett needing more competition and right and left-back respectively.
Squad depth is key for any side looking to challenge in any meaningful way in the Premier League, and Newcastle’s lack of such in wide areas at the back is a concern that has not been addressed.
The club may now pay an early price for that summer blunder following their 2-1 opening defeat at home to Tottenham on Saturday which saw Yedlin limp off the pitch with a knee injury.
It is impossible to say how serious the problem is for the USA international but Yedlin looked in considerable pain as he hobbled off the pitch and that is a huge concern for Newcastle so early on in the season.
It is safe to say that Yedlin will be missing for their trip to Cardiff next weekend, which will leave either Javier Manquillo or academy star Jamie Sterry to deputise at right-back for Benitez.
And it is likely that this situation will continue for several weeks for the Magpies, with the likelihood of Yedlin recovering quickly from such an injury being low.
Manquillo and Sterry can both do a job for the Magpies on the right but neither are proven Premier League performers, and that could leave the club short in defence in the coming weeks.
Benitez will have anticipated a situation such as this occurring at some point during the season, but to have it happen so early is pretty much a disaster for the Spaniard.