Newcastle United defender Chancel Mbemba has not played for the club in over a month.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has told The Chronicle that defender Chancel Mbemba is currently out of action due to a grass burn.
The centre back has not featured for the Magpies since the 2-0 defeat to Wolves last month, which included a Mbemba own goal and was the last time Newcastle suffered defeat.
Derby County’s Matej Vydra and Newcastle United’s Chancel Mbemba in action
During his mysterious absence, Ciaran Clark has stepped up to the plate, helping Newcastle to four straight wins as they hit the top of the Championship with their latest win over Barnsley. With questions asked about where Mbemba is, Benitez cleared things up.
“We have Chancel who has a grass burn,” Benitez told The Chronicle.
“He is not feeling well and I don’t see him as 100 per cent.”
Newcastle’s Chancel Mbemba in action with Tottenham’s Harry Kane
The 22-year-old has certainly not been missed by Newcastle, with Clark putting in a serious of man of the match performances alongside captain Jamaal Lascelles, with the two starting a blossoming partnership, picking up clean sheets in their previous two away outings.
The former Anderlecht defender showed glimpses last season how good a player he could be with his pace and ability to read to game, but has not looked quite at home in the Championship.
While the injury is no doubt a painful yet amusing one, Mbemba has now slipped down the pecking order at St James’ Park, and could face a battle to become a first team regular again under Benitez, who will be very happy with his ruthless pair of Clark and Lascelles.
Manchester United’s Luke Shaw in action with Newcastle United’s Chancel Mbemba
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