Medical expert tells Newcastle United to expect the worst after Hugo Ekitike latest
Hugo Ekitike will likely have a series of hamstring injuries in his early days at Newcastle United.
That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
This site first revealed back in April that Newcastle were in pole position to sign Ekitike, 19, from Ligue 1 side Reims.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Monday (13 June) that the Magpies hope to finalise the deal this week.
The striker, who is under contract until 2024, suffered a hamstring injury while away with France’s Under-20s last Thursday (9 June).
Ekitike missed 10 games in 2021-22 with the same thigh problem.
Dinnery urged Newcastle to be patient with the player as further injury issues are sure to follow.
“Contrary to popular belief, you don’t pass or fail a medical,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“That is why you often see players who are sidelined complete a transfer. Those medicals and discussions are a list of recommendations and guidelines on historical problems and whether that will have any bearing on their future.
“In this instance, there have been one or two hamstring issues in the last campaign. But he is a young player and it was his first top-flight campaign at the highest level.
“It’s a period of adaptation and there are going to be soft tissue issues that crop up along the way. He is still growing, developing and learning.
“That will not be the end of hamstring issues for this player, I’m sure. There will undoubtedly be one or two more as he transitions to the Premier League.
“He isn’t someone I see being thrown in week in, week out. His minutes will be managed. So let’s not get carried away and see him as the next big signing.
“I think he will be an impact player. You want to protect the longevity of this guy’s career. It’s not just about the here and now.”
Ekitike registered 11 goals and four assists in 2021-22.
His Reims side finished 12th in the French top flight.
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