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Chancel Mbemba could be missing for at least a month after picking up a hamstring injury while on international duty with DR Congo – according to reports citing the national team doctor.

Mbemba – who was captain for the evening – was withdrawn before the hour mark in DR Congo’s 2-2 draw with Tunisia in World Cup qualifying and Newcastle are still waiting for the defender to return to Tyneside where they can carry out further tests.

But local reports quote Dr Jean-Pierre Bungu Kakala as confirming the player will miss the country’s next qualifier against Libya on October 7 – and could even be out for up to three months. United said they were still waiting for a definitive verdict on Mbemba’s condition but if confirmed, it would be another unwelcome defensive injury for Newcastle – who are already without Paul Dummett until later in the winter.

Rafa Benitez – who himself is missing training at the moment due to a complication from a hernia operation – will be able to cope in the short-term with Florian Lejeune and DeAndre Yedlin set to return for the trip to South Wales.

But Mbemba had been in excellent form and was a surprising star turn against West Ham in the left-back slot. It would be a double blow for the player himself, who seemed to be re-establishing himself after a season of struggle in the Championship.

Jesus Gamez and Javier Manquillo can both play at left-back – but it has been a troublesome position for Newcastle in recent years. They allowed Achraf Lazaar to leave on loan on deadline day.

Benitez had wanted to sign Matt Targett on deadline day to supply back-up in the left-back slot and he does have Massadio Haidara, who was included in the club’s 25-man Premier League and is fit.

The Newcastle boss has been unsure of the French defender and was prepared to let him go in the summer but there would appear to be a route back for him if he can convince the Spaniard of his ability to cope with the Premier League. Jack Colback can, of course, fill in at left-back but is unlikely to have a route back into the first team after being told before deadline day that he would be training with the Academy if he did not leave.