NEWCASTLE star Matt Ritchie has been ruled out until January after the club confirmed he has undergone a second operation on his ankle.
The 30-year-old has been out of action since August following a challenge from Hamza Choudhury during the Magpies’ Carabao Cup defeat against Leicester.
Matt Ritchie has been ruled out until the New Year after having a second operation on his ankleCredit: Getty – Contributor
Ritchie required surgery last month to fix his problem, but the Scottish international suffered a setback in training.
He will not be available for at least the next eight games.
The ex-Bournemouth ace was advised by a specialist last week that more procedure was needed.
Ritchie will continue his rehabilitation work on Tyneside ahead of his comeback in early 2020.
Prior to his injury, he had started the opening three Premier League games under Steve Bruce.
Newcastle gaffer Bruce branded Choudhury’s tackle as a “horror challenge” as he claimed that Ritchie has been left a “mess” by the lunge.
Speaking in August, he said: “It’s a horror challenge. It was over the top. When you are lunging in like that, you can damage people.
“It’s difficult to take when I see them like that.
“I don’t want to see people get sent off but the referee is five yards away and it might have been different had there been VAR.
“Matt is in a mess. We fear ankle damage. He has been stitched with three different wounds.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
