OPINION
When a squad is as thinly stretched as Rafael Benitez’s is at Newcastle United the last thing that is needed is a worrying injury blow for one of your most senior talents.
However, that is exactly what has happened on Tyneside on Tuesday, with the Magpies confirming on their official Twitter account and website that midfielder Ki Sung-yeung has returned to St James’ Park following his international duty with South Korea with a hamstring injury.
The club can confirm that Ki Sung-yueng has been recalled by Newcastle United after a recurrence of a hamstring injury suffered on international duty with Korea Republic.
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It is said that it is a recurrence of the setback which was suffered early on in the Asia Cup and considering how influential the former Swansea man, who joined Newcastle on a free transfer in the summer, has been for Benitez’s men, it will be a real worry to the Toon Army.
However, there is a huge silver lining to Ki’s absence in the shape of Sean Longstaff and the amount of playing time the youth graduate will pick up as a result.
The 21-year-old has found himself firmly among the first team in recent weeks partly due to the absence of not only Ki but Mohamed Diame and so the South Korean’s impending return threatened his place in the side.
He has been an outstanding performer for Newcastle in his five appearances across the Premier League and FA Cup and fans have loved seeing one of their own make his mark on the team.
As such, Ki’s injury means that he is set to continue to impress in the side and while losing their senior star is a hefty blow it is offset by Longstaff’s emergence as a top quality talent.