Former Arsenal midfielder Isaac Hayden may have suffered a season-ending knee injury with Newcastle United, according to reports.
Newcastle United’s misery in suffering a 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday was compounded by a serious-looking injury to Isaac Hayden. The former Arsenal midfielder went down just before the half-time break and was forced off on a stretcher.
The Northern Echo report that Hayden will undergo scans over the next 48 hours, but it is feared he has a serious knee problem that will rule him out of the remainder of the season. Given ligament damage is possible, he may even miss pre-season this summer.
Steve Bruce said: “It’s a knee injury. We don’t know the severity until obviously he has scans and X-rays, but it doesn’t look too good, that’s for sure.”
The incident occurred in a clash between Hayden and Yves Bissouma, which appeared to be accidental. According to Hayden himself, the Brighton man checked on him after the game.
Gutted all round is an understatement! I will be doing my utmost to recover as quickly as I can from this injury to help the team. Respect to Bissouma for checking on me after the game was a complete accident and Brighton medical staff for there help tonight also #NUFC
— Isaac Hayden (@IsaacHayden65) March 20, 2021
Hayden left Arsenal for Newcastle in 2016, making over 150 appearances for the club in the last four-and-a-half years. He came close to leaving in 2019 for personal reasons relating to his family, but ended up sticking around and extending his deal to 2026.
At least that contract will give him some security through this injury. For everyone at the club, it’s in their best interests to ensure Hayden gets the best possible treatment and rehabilitation for his short and long-term future.