Newcastle suffer major blow with key player set for surgery after 'freak incident'

Newcastle United have suffered a major injury blow ahead of the 2024/25 campaign following a 'freak' accident in first team training.

The Magpies finished seventh in the 2023/24 Premier League season after struggling to balance the added pressure of Champions League football.

Eddie Howe's side will now be eager to fire themselves back into the top four next season, as we approach the first round of fixtures on August 17.

Newcastle will host newly-promoted Southampton at St James' Park Stadium in their first test of the new campaign.

Sides across the top flight of English football are now recruiting heavily in the summer transfer window, with Newcastle being no different. Veteran goalkeeper John Ruddy, ex-Bournemouth ace Lloyd Kelly and former loanee Lewis Hall have all joined on permanent deals so far.

However, further reinforcements may now be a necessity following a 'freak' injury to midfielder Lewis Miley in training.

According to the Daily Mail, the 18-year-old is set to undergo surgery on Monday to repair a broken bone in his foot which occurred while turning in training. Miley is expected to miss around 12 weeks of action, which could mean he is sidelined for the opening six games of the Premier League season as the very least.

These games would include Southampton, Bournemouth, Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fulham and champions Manchester City.

Howe will now have to lean on the talents of Joelinton, Sean Longstaff and possibly Isaac Hayden in his absence.

If he does not wish to use the depth within his squad, the club may need to consider possible midfield signings they can make, although profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) could limit the amount they could spend in the coming months.