Florian Lejeune could be back for Newcastle United way ahead of schedule.
Florian Lejeune could be back playing for Newcastle United within four months, according to manager Rafael Benitez.
The French centre-back underwent successful ankle surgery earlier this month after suffering cruciate ligament injury in pre-season training for Newcastle.
Such an injury typically carries a nine-month recovery period with it and originally there were fears that Lejeune – who joined the Magpies last summer for £8.7 million [The Guardian]- could spend the whole 2018-19 campaign on the sidelines.
However, the Spanish manager told The Shields Gazette on Friday that the 28-year-old could be back within four months – a huge improvement on the original prognosis.
He said: “Normally, this injury, in the past, could be nine months. It depends on what is going on between six and nine months.
“Now, in our experience with this surgeon in Italy, it takes less … between four and six months. It depends what is going on and if we have any complications.”
Lejeune was brilliant for Newcastle in the second half of last season and formed a superb partnership with Jamaal Lascelles.
Magpies fans would’ve been looking forward to seeing the duo at the heart of United’s defence again this season, and here’s how some reacted to Benitez’s positive update.
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