Newcastle boost as Massadio Haidara escapes serious injury after horror challenge by Callum McManaman

Newcastle defender Massadio Haidara has escaped serious injury to his knee after the horror tackle on him by Callum McManaman.

There were fears Haidara had suffered ligament damage following the studs-up challenge during his side's defeat at Wigan last weekend.

The Mapgies reacted furiously to the tackle and the Football Association's subsequent decision not to take retrospective action against McManaman.

But they have received some welcome good news after scans showed the 20-year-old suffered only substantial bruising to his left leg.

A Newcastle statement read: "We can confirm that results of the latest scan on Massadio Haidara show that the player has very fortunately escaped any significant bone or ligament damage following the dangerous tackle by Wigan Athletic's Callum McManaman on Sunday.

"We are very pleased that the extent of his injury is less severe than first feared and is limited to bruising to the bone and soft tissue damage. Depending on the speed of his recovery he should be fit to play again in early April.

"Massadio will continue to be assessed over the coming days. He has been very lucky that he has not suffered more serious injury and this positive diagnosis in no way lessens the Club’s views with regard to the severity of the tackle from which it resulted.