Hugo Ekitike's injury history explained as 'alarming' 68-day issue strikes again

Newcastle United fans eagerly tuned into Thursday evening's Maurice Revello Tournament clash between Mexico and France's Under-20 sides to watch not only under-23 talent Santiago Munoz - but also Reims forward and key summer transfer target Hugo Ekitike.

Those supporters would eventually be left disappointed, with Ekitike limping off just eight minutes into the semi-final, pulling up after clutching his right hamstring. This isn't a new issue and it is one Newcastle United chiefs will be well aware of given his recent injury history.

The 19-year-old suffered his original hamstring issue back in February as Reims took on Brest. The MRI taken in the days after revealed a grade two lesion, with a tear of more than 10 centimeters.

Reims boss Oscar Garcia expected his young starlet to be out of action for around a month, claiming Ekitike was simply fatigued after a long campaign. "Normally, you have this type of injury in the second half, when you are tired," he told French media at the time.

But Ekitike aggravated that injury on his comeback trail back in April and missed another month due to the setback. The teenager missed a total of 10 games across 68 days between February 20 and May 12. His return saw him feature for 16 minutes in the 2-1 defeat to Lens.

Ekitike featured in the final two games of the Ligue 1 campaign and headed to Toulon with his French under-20 colleagues earlier this month seemingly fit, playing a part in recent clashes with the Under-20 sides from However, it is clear the issue wasn't properly fixed, with the player sporting hamstring support during Thursday's clash with Mexico.

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