Rafa Benitez has been left with a selection dilemma following the injury to DeAndre Yedlin.
Newcastle United slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on the opening weekend of the season, Joselu cancelling out Jan Vertongen’s opener before Dele Alli headed home the winner in the 18th minute.
Aside from the result, the most disappointing part of the afternoon for Newcastle was seeing right-back DeAndre Yedlin going off with a knee injury late in the game.
It is not yet known the extent of the American’s injury, however, according to the Shields Gazette, the 25-year-old did leave the ground on crutches.
Toon boss Rafa Benitez will be left with a selection dilemma in the absence of Yedlin, as Javi Manquillo, who has failed to impress at St James’ Park is his only first-team cover at fullback.
Bringing the Spaniard in at right-back would be a like-for-like swap for Benitez, but should he not feel he can trust Manquillo as a long-term solution could changing to a 3 at the back system be an alternative?
Even after losing Florian Lejeune to an injury earlier in the summer, in Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Federico Fernandez, Fabian Schar and Paul Dummett Newcastle do have some good options in central defence.
Shifting to three at the back would also allow Benitez to utilize wingbacks, which would, in theory, give him more potential replacements for Yedlin as more attacking players could be converted.
Additionally, the system may help get the best out of Manquillo, providing him extra coverage and allowing him the freedom to get forward more
The tactical change does, however, look unlikely as it would mean Benitez shifting away from his faithful 4-2-3-1 formation, but should Yedlin’s injury result in a long-term absence, fans could see a shift in system at St James’ Park.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
