The Athletic has recently revealed that Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden is set to miss the remainder of this season because of a knee injury. It has been reported that the Magpies don’t expect the English player to feature again this season even though they are yet to find out about the extent of his injury lay-off (via The Athletic).
Hayden’s Solid Season At Tyneside Despite Recent Injury
Hayden has established himself as a valuable member of Steve Bruce’s match-day squad this season despite his team’s struggles to get results on the field. The Tyneside giants are currently facing a battle for their Premier League lives, with just two points separating them from the dreaded drop zone.
Therefore, losing Hayden will be a bitter pill to swallow for the Toon Army as he has shown some signs of improvement with his dogged displays in midfield during this campaign. The English midfield ace has participated in 27 matches for the Magpies this term, netting one goal in the process on all fronts.
The 26-year-old has excelled as a defensive midfielder at St. James’ Park after averaging 2.2 tackles, 1.8 interceptions, 1.9 clearances and 0.7 shots per 90 minutes in the Premier League. He has also been exceptional with his ball-distribution because he has made 80.7% of his attempted passes in the English first division (stats via whoscored).
What Does The English Midfielder Bring To The Table?
Hayden makes up for his lack of pace by being aggressive with his challenges and is proficient at disrupting the opposition’s rhythm in the game at the centre of the park. He is not shy of getting stuck in with a few tackles and can earn possession back for his side.
The English sensation can even scan the danger quickly and is always willing to clear his lines when needed. He is primarily a holding midfielder but has also filled in as a centre-back for the Magpies this season. However, he offers very little on the offensive end of the field.
Hayden To Miss The Rest Of This Season: Big Blow For Newcastle?
With Hayden now ruled out for the remainder of this Premier League campaign due to a knee injury, Bruce will have to rely on some of his other senior stars to step up and give a good account of themselves after the international break. However, there is no denying that Hayden’s injury absence will be a huge blow for Newcastle and their chances of survival as he is an integral asset and would have helped them grind out some results on the field heading into the business end of this season.
