NUFC star now facing up to 8 weeks on the sidelines after suffering broken collarbone in training – report

Newcastle United defender Emil Krafth is facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines after he suffered a broken collarbone in training last week, according to the Daily Mail.

There had been hope he could be back for the busy festive fixtures, but he has been told he may have to wait until January 2025 before returning to action.

Being without Krafth is a blow for Newcastle, with manager Eddie Howe now facing a selection headache after the international break as Dan Burn is suspended for the visit of West Ham United on November 25.

While the initial prognosis is six to eight weeks out, the 30-year-old Magpies star is expected to back on his feet and running in three to four weeks.

However, he is certain to miss the next six fixtures at least, and Howe will hope other defenders return from the international break unscathed.

Krafth has featured in six games across all competitions for Newcastle this term, playing at both right-back and centre-back, and the club are looking to hand him a new contract as his current deal expires at the end of the season.

The Swede will be desperate to return to the matchday squad sooner rather than later and help the Magpies push for a place in Europe in the Premier League table this season.

Newcastle are currently eighth in the table after five wins, three draws and three defeats in 11 games, and they have to improve significantly heading into the remaining 28 games if they want to play in Europe next season.

There are just four points between third-placed Chelsea and 13th-placed Manchester United right now, and the race for the top-seven could be fiercer this term.