OPINION
Nobody at Newcastle United would have predicted the impact that summer signings Ki Sung-Yueng and Yoshinori Muto would have on the club.
One may have made more impact than the other, but they have both had a positive effect on what was a dismal start to the campaign for the Magpies.
Ki was instrumental in United’s first win of the season – a 1-0 victory over Watford a few weeks back – when he came on as a substitute for the injured Jonjo Shelvey, providing a jaw-dropping cross to allow Ayoze Perez to strike one into the back of the net.
The South Korean international then starred in the second win of the season, a 2-1 result over Bournemouth – and by then, it was clear to see that he was worth signing.
Muto, on the other hand, has also had his fair share of success before he was hauled off in the Watford game – he netted one against Manchester United before nearly scoring another in a very tight 3-2 loss.
According to the Chronicle, the Asian Cup – which Muto and Ki star for Japan and South Korea respectively – is due to take place in January, which is set to bring chaos to what is becoming a relatively promising-looking season for United.
Losing both of his vital players – Ki especially – will no doubt plunge him into turmoil in terms of selection, something which he would have been wanting to avoid.
Seeming as Ki has been rather important recently, losing him for around a month could potentially have a hinderence on Newcastle’s result.
It is no coincidence that they have starting winning as soon as he was properly introduced into the side.
Muto being missing will also mean that Benitez would have to resort to using Perez every week, which is rather risky.
Benitez will no doubt be in a huge sweat over this news – and he will have to find a way to cope without the two game changers.