Elanga faces MRI scan as Newcastle head into Hull City clash with growing injury list

Anthony Elanga is set to undergo an MRI scan to establish the full extent of his injury, leaving Newcastle United without the Swedish winger for their EFL Championship home fixture against Hull City on Saturday.

Elanga was forced off during Newcastle’s 4-1 defeat to Leeds on Monday night after picking up a knock, and head coach Matthias Jaissle confirmed the club is still awaiting clarity on the severity of the problem. “No real update on Anthony. I’ve spoken with him now, he is heading for an MRI scan. We will get more clarity after that, and hope it’s not too serious,” Jaissle said. “It is sad after the great start he had. He is a key strength in our squad and we want to stay positive.”

Elanga is not the only absentee troubling Jaissle ahead of the weekend. Nico Gonzalez will sit out after being placed in concussion protocol following the Leeds defeat, with the manager explaining: “It was just unlucky. It was not a big hit, but the hit was strong enough and precise enough to knock him out. We need to be smart, we have the responsibility to follow the protocol from the league, which I really think it’s so good that we’re so advanced in that approach.”

Strikers Will Osula and Amar Dedic, along with midfielder Jacob Ramsey, are also among Newcastle’s growing list of injury concerns ahead of the fixture.

Despite the disruption, Jaissle is taking Hull seriously. The visitors have been one of the Championship’s early-season surprises, defeating Manchester United in the FA Cup and drawing away at Chelsea. “Hull are doing a great job, they have a clear identity. They know exactly what they are doing and what their strengths are and how to execute them on the pitch,” the Newcastle boss said. “We need to take their strengths away and use their weaknesses to get a good result.”