Newcastle United striker Yoshinori Muto has been given leave to fly back to Japan amid a potentially lengthy injury lay-off.
The 26-year-old Japan international suffered a calf injury during the Magpies’ 1-0 win over Watford last weekend, and missed out on their second consecutive victory this weekend against Bournemouth.
Manager Rafa Benitez has now confirmed that Muto has been given permission to jet out to his homeland to receive treatment and spend some time with his young family.
As quoted by the Chronicle, Benitez said: “He has gone to Japan, so he is now in Japan because his wife had a baby and he wanted to stay around.
“He is under treatment there and he is getting better, but still he will need some time.”
OPINION
It would seem that Muto is unfortunately set for several weeks on the sidelines after suffering this calf injury against Watford last weekend. The Japan international was just starting to come into the team and into some form when it happened, which is a real shame for both him and the club. There was excitement among the fans to see Muto and fellow summer signing Salomon Rondon combine up top, but that will unfortunately have to wait after Muto’s injury. You have to say however that the international break has come at a very good time for Newcastle, with the Magpies heading into the lay-off with some real momentum after their first two wins of the season. The two-week break also gives them time to treat their injured players, with Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey both joining Muto on the sidelines. Hopefully those two can return in two weeks time, but it seems as though Muto will not be ready for a period after the action returns.