Newcastle fans have been pleading on Twitter for Matt Ritchie to make a speedy return to the team.
This comes after the official Newcastle Twitter account shared a post on their page announcing that Matt Ritchie has recently undergone a second operation on his ankle injury.
The post then gathered many replies from Newcastle fans hoping to see Ritchie make a quick return to the side.
Has Matt Ritchie been a big miss for Newcastle this season?
Yes
No
Here’s a sample of Newcastle fans wishing Ritchie a speedy recovery:
Not ideal but we do have enough players in his position to cover for the next 5+ weeks. on the pitch more than anything.
— Andrew McVittie (@Andrew_McVittie) November 28, 2019
wish you quick recovery
— Happyson Ruhukwa (@HappysonRuhukwa) November 28, 2019
So sorry to hear this, he’s the best man on the squad.
— Your Lefty Uncle (@flowmanuga) November 28, 2019
Ritchie suffered the injury in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup clash against fellow Premier League side Leicester City back in August this year. It was Leicester’s Hamza Choudhury who caught the unfortunate Ritchie with a tackle in the match. Ritchie has not featured for the Tyneside club since then, with his return still unknown (per Transfermarkt).
But some Newcastle fans are still hopeful for a swift recovery for the 30-year-old.
come back as soon you can matt
— ruben sannino (@ruben_sannino) November 28, 2019
Fingers crossed Matt will be back sooner rather than later xx
— magpie23 (@28092003) November 28, 2019
I Hope Ritchie and lacelles can comeback together.
— callum lewis (@callum592) November 28, 2019
Very very bad news. Matt Ritchie is the heart and soul of this team.
— LDFC (@LockdownFBall) November 28, 2019
Ohhhhhh Ritchies ankles tragic…
— Luke (@NotoriousB_U_T) November 28, 2019
What do we think?
It’s never nice to see a player injured for such a long time. But for the Newcastle fans, the absence of Ritchie means they aren’t just missing his football on the pitch, but also his personality and presence around the team.
If Ritchie can return before the end of the season, it will provide a big boost for Steve Bruce.