Newcastle United defender hit by injury blow that could sideline him until April

Newcastle United defender Federico Fernandez could be missing until April after suffering from a strain in training. The former Argentina international has not starred since the 1-0 over Burnley at the end of last year.

Fernandez will be absent at Southampton and Chelsea and is touch and go for the trip to Everton this time next week. That would leave the 33-year-old vying for selection for the remaining nine fixtures of the season.

Before setting off for Southampton, head coach Eddie Howe said: "Fede picked up a very slight side strain. We don’t think it’s serious. It’ll keep him out for a week to 10 days."

Fernandez has already suffered with thigh injuries this season and missed eight matches in all competitions with a thigh injury this term with his involvement this season totalling 522 minutes. However, there have been six occasions where he was available but not called upon.

Fernandez signed a new deal with Newcastle last July with the length of the contract not revealed by the club at the time. But it is understood that the ex-Napoli man has at least another year until summer 2023 on his contract and the possibility of an extension option beyond that.

Confusion over Fernandez's role in the squad occurred last year when stand-in boss Graeme Jones stated in a Press conference that the former team-mate of Lionel Messi was no longer at a stage in his career where he should be asked to sit on the bench. But Howe said after his appointment last year: "All I can speak on is the player that I have worked with so far - he has been the ultimate professional. I think I said this on Monday too, he's the ultimate professional."

With Newcastle in the market for a new centre-back and senior scout Mick Tait already being sent on