The former Malaga skipper has enjoyed very little luck on Tyneside. Then again, neither has his fellow left-back.
Newcastle United could be without defender Jesus Gamez for around six weeks if they decide he needs an operation after suffering an injury to his collarbone, The Chronicle reports.
The former Atletico Madrid full-back has failed to make an impact on Tyneside due to a number of injuries, having only recently returned to full fitness from an Achilles problem that kept him on the sidelines throughout the opening few months of the campaign.
And, on his long-awaited first start for his new club, Gamez was stretchered off just ten minutes after the break to be replaced by Paul Dummett as Newcastle lost for the fourth time this season at home to Blackburn Rovers.
And, according to The Chronicle, the club will decide whether the 31-year-old needs to go under the knife to correct the problem.
If so, he will likely be sidelined for six weeks, meaning he will be absent during a hectic fixture schedule that is likely to test the strength in depth of Rafael Benitez’s talented squad.
However, in a typical ‘one door closes’ scenario, Gamez’s absence could provide the perfect opportunity for Achraf Lazaar to finally make his mark on the Newcastle first-team.
The Moroccan international left-back caught the eye of the watching Benitez as he impressed during the reserve side’s 1-1 draw with West Brom last week, and any defensive reshuffling could see an opening for the 24-year-old.
The former Palermo star admitted to The Chronicle earlier this month that his manager was reluctant to throw him in at the deep end as he aims to make sure he can paddle before he can swim in the rough-and-tumble nature of English football, but Benitez’s hand may have just been forced.
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