Javi Manquillo’s injury could hand Jacob Murphy a chance to earn new Newcastle contract

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When it rains, it pours at Newcastle United.

One minute we had three right-backs, the next there’s only one.

DeAndre Yedlin left on deadline day, leaving Javi Manquillo and Emil Krafth to fight for a place in the starting XI.

Just more than a week after Yedlin’s departure, Krafth is now the only fit right-back at the club.

Manquillo got the nod on Saturday, but had to come off in the first half due to a suspected ankle ligament problem.

It’s unknown when he’ll be back, but Bruce described the injury as ‘awful’. If it is as bad as Fabian Schar’s, we might not see Manquillo again this season.

That means Krafth will be first choice, but it could also hand a strange opportunity to Jacob Murphy.

Will Murphy earn a new deal?

We’ve seen more of Murphy than expected this season.

The 25-year-old arrived for £12million in 2017, but has struggled to have a proper impact at St James’ Park.

But he’s had something of a renaissance this season, often playing out of position.

Steve Bruce deployed Murphy as a right wing-back earlier in the campaign, with moderate success.

Murphy has certainly played his part, with his late free-kick earning a point against Wolves before setting up Dwight Gayle’s winner against West Brom.

However, there is still a chance he could leave in the summer with his contract set to expire.

Murphy has featured less and less in recent weeks, and wasn’t even on the bench against Southampton.

But with Newcastle down to the bare bones at right back, the former Norwich lad might get a chance in defence.

With a lot of football still to be played, we can’t expect Krafth to play every minute of every game.

That could hand Murphy an opportunity. If he can take that chance and prove his versatility, he might be able to earn himself a new deal at St James’ Park.