Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez suffers another blow with Chancel Mbemba out for three-months with hamstring injury
Magpies hit by injury setback as defender could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines after picking up blow playing for DR Congo
NEWCASTLE have suffered a blow with the news Chancel Mbemba could be out for up to three months.
The DR Congo international picked up the injury for his country this week.
And that leaves Rafa Benitez dangerously short of cover at the back as he looks to secure the Magpies Premier League safety.
Mbemba was captaining his national when he was forced off after 60 minutes during the 2-2 draw with Tunisia.
A member of the DR Congo national side reportedly confirmed the star faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Foot CD claims the team doctor informed them that the 23-year-old will be out for at least a month with an adductor injury.
Newcastle are awaiting his return to Tyneside to assess the blow for themselves and carry out further tests.
Benitez - who is currently absent from training himself due to a complication from a hernia operation - takes his side to Swansea on Sunday.
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He will be hoping that Florian Lejuene and DeAndre Yedlin can overcome their recent injury issues to fill in for the African, with Paul Dummett already ruled out until the winter.
Jesus Gamez could be another option for the Spanish coach as is Javier Manquillo, with the pair both being able to fill in at left-back.
The position has been a troublesome area at the club for some time, with the Magpies allowing Achraf Lazaar to depart on loan last week.
Mbemba had been in excellent form for the North East side and had played in all three of their top-flight matches.
He was star man in the victory over West Ham last time out and had even gotten himself on the scoresheet for his nation against Tunisia before hobbling off.
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